A defendant was referred to Tony Beach by a solicitor. The client was charged with blackmail, a serious charge attracting up to 14 years imprisonment under the Crimes Act 1961. After considering the evidence and taking full instructions from his client, Tony Beach successfully negotiated an agreement with the Crown to amend the charge to an offence under the Telecommunications Act 2001, attracting up to 3 months imprisonment. After hearing submissions from Tony Beach, the judge ordered the client to come up for sentence if called upon in 12 months – a ‘good behaviour bond’ – together with a modest emotional harm payment to the victim.
Blackmail charge amended