08-05-2025
Sextortion blackmailer jailed after plot backfired when man fled her home
Connie Furlong told her vulnerable victim she planned to show video footage of him to the police while claiming she had been the victim of sexual assault.
A blackmailer who plotted to lure a man to her home for sex while secretly filming him so she could extort money from him has been jailed for ten months.
Connie Furlong told her vulnerable victim she planned to show video footage of him to the police while claiming she had been the victim of sexual assault.
The victim fled from her home after another man jumped out of a second room to confront him when he refused to pay Furlong for sexual favours.
Furlong - who met her 39-year-old victim online - later sent him a message demanding just £80 and telling him: "I like you. You don't have to give me much."
Fiscal depute Emma Farmer told Perth Sheriff Court: "The complainer and accused began communicating online and by phone in relation to commencing a sexual relationship.
"The victim is 39 and has mild learning difficulties. They agreed to meet. He drove to her address and arrived at 10pm. He entered and they sat down and spoke.
"The victim kissed her and placed his hand on her. She stated she would have him charged with sexual assault. She asked how much he would pay for sex with her.
"She asked for his wallet and another male entered the room and said 'that's my girlfriend.' The male told Furlong: "Don't let him leave. Lock the door."
Ms Farmer said the victim panicked and tried to leave, and offered to go to the bank and withdraw money to pay them off. He got outside and stopped a passing driver to tell them he was scared of Furlong.
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Furlong and her accomplice persuaded the driver that the man was drunk and they left the scene.
"I have video of you grabbing my boobs and kissing me," Furlong warned. "You have ten minutes until I phone the police. Leave the money somewhere - you don't need to see me again.
"He's going to phone them now as you're not paying. That wasn't consent."
The victim took screenshots of the messages and passed them to police and Furlong was arrested. She denied wrongdoing and claimed the victim had edited the incriminating messages to make her look bad.
She told detectives that the man had forced himself upon her and had subsequently offered her £400 not to go to the police.
Furlong, 29 , from Perth, admitted acting with another to menace the man with the intention of extorting £80 from him on 28 December 2021.
Solicitor Lynsey Barber, defending, said Furlong was responsible for several delays in the case coming to court because she had repeatedly failed to turn up.
"She is entirely responsible for delays in this matter," she said. "She knows what the inevitable outcome may be."
Sheriff William Gilchrist told Furlong: "Extortion is a serious charge. I am satisfied the custodial threshold has been reached."
