He gave one victim a deadline to add him back online or an image of her would go viral, then sent her an email demanding £100 to stop that happening
A sexual blackmailer who left two women humiliated and traumatised blamed prescription medication and “being used to getting what he wants” for the offending.
While Cathan Quinn, 29, from Wesleyann Mews, Magherafelt was jailed, his sentence had to be reduced due to delay as the PPS took three years to decide whether to progress the case or not.
Dungannon Crown Court heard Quinn’s offending against both women occurred simultaneously between January and April 2021 and while under investigation for similar previous behaviour. He targeted the first victim, who was completely unknown to him, through online contact and after communicating for several weeks, requested images.
She “eventually capitulated” and the following day after deleting Quinn from her social media he contacted her by Snapchat issuing threats and stating “biggest mistake you’ve ever made”.
He gave her a deadline to add him back online or the image would go viral, then sent her an email demanding £100 to stop that happening. The victim reported this to police and the court heard she suffered “suffocating shame and guilt” as a result of what occurred.
The second victim was known to Quinn through another relationship and he contacted by Snapchat offering to pay her for explicit images. She blocked him but he contacted her on WhatsApp threatening to leak material if she did not unblock him. He also demanded she make an explicit video and under duress, she complied.
She was instructed to carry out a number of sexual acts described by judge Brian Sherrard as “grotesque”. Eventually she agreed to meet Quinn with a view to him not posting any further material and never contacting her again.
He didn’t turn up but again tried to arrange to meet for sex and in the meantime demanded more images. However she reported the matter to police and the court heard the offending caused her to drop out of university and she had been left embarrassed, ashamed, scared and humiliated
Quinn blamed his offending on alcohol, medication and being used to getting what he wants.
Judge Sherrard told him: “Your motivation was sexual gratification and control of these women. You are responsible for their humiliation. To compromise someone’s privacy is particularly concerning and blackmail goes well beyond what is known as ‘revenge porn’. You have a poor record including sending menacing messages and posting explicit images of a woman online.”
Pre-sentence reports found Quinn presents as “highly likely to reoffend due to lack of insight and empathy”.
Judge Sherrard remarked: “Blackmail attracts a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment which indicates the seriousness with which both Parliament and society treat this kind of offending. It is rightly regarded with loathing and contempt. While working as coroner, I saw the tragedy of people having to deal with the outcomes.”
He told Quinn: “You employed a system of luring these women in and seeking to control them. They were vulnerable by the very nature of the imagery being so damaging. The desperation of one of them shown by the lengths she was willing to go in order to appease and stop you was striking.”
Originally handing down a sentence of two years and eight months, Judge Sherrard accepted there had been extensive delay in progressing the case with the PPS taking almost three years to decide on whether to proceed or not. He therefore reduced the sentence to two years and two months, to be evenly split between custody and on licence.
The Judge ruled all seized material to be destroyed. Restraining Orders were also granted for five years, banning Quinn from contacting the victims.
PSNI Detective Inspector Ryan said: “In early 2021, Cathan Quinn targeted two female victims. Using social media platforms, the defendant cajoled his victims into sharing intimate images. He then blackmailed both women, threatening to post the images online unless demands for money were met.
“Both victims have suffered terribly throughout this nightmarish ordeal. It’s hard to truly imagine the trauma they have endured, and I am grateful to both for finding the courage to come forward and speak to us. Your support has been invaluable.”
Detective Inspector Ryan added: “Today’s sentencing relates to our investigation into the online blackmail of two females. This, however, is not Quinn’s only offence of this nature. On 21 April in 2022, the defendant was given a prison sentence for similar offences against a third innocent victim, who also found the courage to speak to police.
“I hope this sends out a very clear message to anyone who would seek to exploit and threaten others. Let me assure you, you can’t hide behind a computer or mobile screen. Rather, you will be identified and investigated. And you will be held to account.
“To those innocent victims who may be experiencing similar, please don’t respond to demands. Don’t enter into further communication. If you can, confide in a trusted friend or family member, and please contact officers as soon as possible on 101. Dedicated officers will handle your case with the sensitivity you deserve.”
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