Demi Sweatman, 24, sent nude photographs of herself to men online for money then blackmailed them by falsely claiming she was underage and was going to tell their relatives
A mum-of-three sent explicit photographs of herself to men before blackmailing them after pretending she was only 15. Demi Sweatman warned the victims she would tell their friends and relatives that they had solicited pornographic images from her.
One man handed over a total of £1,150 whilst another paid £290. The 24-year-old of Werneth Road, Grimsby, pleaded guilty to two charges of blackmail whilst her ex-partner, Charlie Anderson, 22 admitted a money laundering offence.
Prosecuting at Grimsby Crown Court, Craig Lowe revealed that in May 2023 a picture of Sweatman wearing pink lingerie had surfaced on Instagram alongside an invitation to men with the headline “Snap me.”
One man responded with a request and she offered to send nude photographs for £20. Sweatman requested the man’s WhatsApp details and forwarded images, reports Grimsby Live.
He asked if she fancied meeting up and Sweatman responded: “Only if I get £50.”
Additional cash was then transferred. Sweatman subsequently sent messages pretending to be 15-years-old and warning she would tell the man’s familly unless he transferred another £50. She then demanded £300.
The victim objected in messages but forwarded the cash. Sweatman then warned she would send people to the man’s property unless he transferred even more money. The prosecutor revealed the victim forwarded a total of £1,150. A sum of £500 was deposited into Anderson’s account.
Humberside Police were contacted and both were arrested but denied any wrongdoing.
Mr Lowe said in October 2024 Sweatman uploaded a photograph on Facebook Dating offering additional nude images. A student replied and transferred money for explicit material.
Once more, Sweatman obtained the young man’s personal information and threatened to expose him for requesting photographs, of a minor. The victim initially sent £40 for the images and then £250 when he was blackmailed with exposure.
The prosecutor said the student contacted police and Sweatman was arrested, but denied responsibility. Anderson also denied a charge of money laundering.
When his trial was scheduled to be heard, Sweatman provided evidence to the prosecution and Anderson changed his plea to guilty to money laundering. Both victims had experienced anxiety and fear due to the blackmail, Mr Lowe said.
Speaking in mitigation for Sweatman, Tim Savage said his client had no previous convictions recorded against her and she was a young mother of three children. He said his client maintained she had been coerced by her partner.
He added she had stayed out of trouble since October 2024. Speaking in mitigation for Anderson, Maya Hanson said the couple had been in a “volatile relationship.”
Her client had endured a traumatic childhood but was eager to find employment soon and he was remorseful, she said.
Judge Gurdial Singh stated it was evident the money had been transferred into Anderson’s account due to the pressure experienced by the victims. “It was disgraceful and nasty offending,” the judge declared.
He noted that Sweatman had repeated the behaviour in October 2024 following the initial blackmail in May 2023. Given the evidence she had supplied against Anderson, she was entitled to a reduction in her sentence.
The judge remarked: “You are both as bad as each other.”
He added they had been “manipulative and deliberate in taking advantage” of men.
Sweatman received an 11-month prison term, suspended for 18 months. She was also required to complete 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days and undertake 100 hours of unpaid work.
Anderson was handed a 16-month sentence suspended for two years with 100 hours of unpaid work and 10 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days.