The Assizes
| Published date | 01 January 1967 |
| Date | 01 January 1967 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/002201836703100103 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
The Assizes
DEMANDING MONEY
WITH
MENACES
R. v.
Terrace
JUST beyond the boundary of the well-known popular resort
of Blackpool a new caterer took over a snack and coffee
bar. He was soon approached by
the
accused, who, it was
alleged in evidence, asked him for
£10
as a fee for 'protection'.
On this being refused he reduced his charge to
£7
lOS.
and
represented himself as a 'tough'.
This
extortion also being
refused he then reduced his charge to
£4,
and made an actual
threat of damage.
The
proprietor of
the
coffee bar refusing
to be intimidated,
the
accused then suggested payment by
instalments, with a more urgent threat of violence. He was
given
£1.
In
a week's time
the
accused came round to the
coffee bar again to collect a charge for having allowed the bar a
quiet week; and on this demand also being declined the
accused threatened violence and said that there were a 'boss'
and a'super-boss' above him. He was then given
£2.
But the
Police had been informed, and they then pounced.
It
appeared that the accused did indeed have a 'boss', to
whom he owed a large gaming debt and who was alleged to
have suggested
the
aforesaid methods and menaces.
The
accused was committed to LancasterAssizes(October
1966), and as it chanced that the Blackpool Borough Police
were there on another case the Judge called one of them him-
self and enquired as to the prevalence of 'protection rackets'
in
the
district. On hearing that they were only occasional,
Ashworth J. awarded Terrace three years' imprisonment.
10
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