Four men embroiled in a plot to blackmail a businessman, which culminated in the mans car being torched, have been convicted. The gang were involved in a two-month conspiracy to blackmail the victim over a debt his business partner owed to Tommy Roye (born 18/10/74), of Flixton Road, Urmston. Following a trial, Roye was convicted of blackmail, conspiracy to commit arson and threatening to destroy property. A second man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was convicted of blackmail following a trial. Marcel Lauder (born 16/9/69), of Morningside Close, Derby and Jamie Keegan (born 28/10/82), of Epsom Avenue, Sale, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit arson and blackmail at an earlier hearing. Roye and the second man were remanded in custody and all four will be sentenced at a later date. The victim was involved in the running of a Cheshire nightclub with his business partner, who owed up to £30,000 to various people, one of whom was Roye. These two men had a tense altercation in a Stretford pub on 13 August 2013, which resulted in the man in debt calling the victim and asking for help. Concerned, the victim drove to the pub and spoke to his partner, who said he feared for his life. In desperation, the victim told Roye he would pay £5,000 towards settling the debt in order to buy his business partner time to raise the money himself. The victim was assured by his partner that he himself would not need to pay Roye any money. However, just before 11pm on 1 October 2012, as the victim and a friend left the Lord Nelson pub in Urmston, they were ambushed on a quiet residential street by Roye and the second man. Roye demanded to know where his money was and made threats saying You know who we are; you know what we can do. Ill put you in that skip over there. Fearing for his life, he gave Roye the keys to his Audi in the hope it would placate him. Roye told the victim that if he went to the police his car would be torched. The following morning, the victim sent a text message to Roye asking for his car back and promising to pay the £5,000 by the 11 October, to which Roye agreed. The car was eventually returned and the victims business partner gave further assurances that he would pay the debt. Despite this, on the 10 October, Roye again bombarded the victim with texts demanding payment. Roye sent the victim a threatening text which revealed he knew the mans home address. When the victim replied saying that he had no option but to contact the police Royes menacing response was: POLICE, CALL THE FIRE SERVICE ASWEL (sic), a clear and direct threat to damage the victims property in an arson attack. Roye recruited Keegan and Lauder to help him in his plan. It was Lauder and Keegan who went to the victims home at about 8pm on 12 October 2012 and torched the victims people carrier while it was parked on his driveway. Roye and the second man were arrested the next day, and during a search of Royes home, officers seized two ornamental Samurai swords and a machete. Detective Inspector Morris of Traffords Operation Bank said: This was a long and complex investigation and we are extremely grateful to the victim and witnesses for having the courage to come forward and speak out against a group of intimidating and dangerous organised criminals. Anyone who has been a victim of crime can contact police on 0161 856 7655 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Posted on: Thu, 07 Nov 2013 13:25:35 +0000
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