Fort man admits extorting £2,000 from his ‘vulnerable’ uncle

He then threatened his uncle with the consequences of nonpayment, saying the pimps may shoot him

A man who extorted £2,000 from his uncle by pretending to arrange a prostitute for him will be sentenced next month.

Sean McCuish, of Wallace Place, Fort William, appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court on Monday December 13, and admitted a charge of extortion and also possessing a lock-knife.

The 30-year-old had sentence deferred until Thursday January 13 by Sheriff Sara Matheson for a background report and restriction of liberty order assessment. His bail was continued.

Fiscal

Eastwood McCuish’s McCuish, following parents.

Mrs Eastwood described Mr McCuish as ‘a vulnerable adult’ who had a conversation with his nephew about women on social media in May 2018.

‘It led to the accused offering to organise a prostitute. He said he could arrange for a woman to come to his uncle’s house for sex for £100.

‘There is then an exchange of messages over the next few days during which the price of the prostitute rises, money is required for her travel and then the “pimps” require a deposit, all leading to Mr McCuish transferring money to his nephew. When no prostitute appears, the accused tells his uncle that the pimps are now angry and that he can still make an appointment with her but further money upfront is required.

‘He then threatens his uncle with the consequences of non-payment, saying the pimps have guns and that they may shoot him.

‘Overall between July 5 and July 27, 2021, he extorted £2,000 from his uncle,’ Mrs Eastwood told the court.

The court heard that when police went to arrest McCuish he was outside his home and had a lock-knife in his pocket.

‘He told police it was for cleaning out oil on his bong,’ Mrs Eastwood added. Defence solicitor Pauline Chapman reserved her comments until sentencing.