A FAMILY member of Cardigan blackmailer Linda Thomas is to repay the £10,000 she got out of her elderly victim to save her from a longer prison sentence.

Thomas, 62, refused to say what she did with the money.

Her barrister, Dean Pulling, told Swansea Crown Court that it was now accepted that, because of the jury’s verdict, she had indeed made £10,000 by threatening to make a false allegation of sexual assault.

The court heard that a member of Thomas’ family would raise the money.

Judge Geraint Walters said that if the whole of the £10,000 was not handed over within 56 days Thomas would serve an extra six months in prison.

Thomas, of Briscwm Cottages, is currently serving an 18-month sentence.

Thomas came unstuck when she demanded a second £10,000 and “caring bank staff” persuaded her 85-year-old victim to tell them the what was going on.

Judge Walters said at her sentencing hearing that there was a suspicion that Thomas had been told that the police were on their way and that she hid the original £10,000.

Thomas, a cleaner, denied blackmail but was convicted after a trial.

The jury heard how the man was in the habit of giving her a peck on the cheek from time to time.

Thomas took advantage of that and told him she would claim that he had touched her breasts unless he gave her £10,000.

Her victim gave her £8,000 but she complained it was not enough and he withdrew a further £2,000.

By then, staff at the town’s Lloyds bank had become worried about why he was withdrawing such large amounts of cash.

Thomas then threatened to complain that he had tried to rape her unless he handed over a further £10,000.

The court heard that he was so worried and embarrassed that he went to the bank again, but this time staff managed to persuade him to explain what was happening.

Staff then called in social services who contacted the police.

Judge Walters said if the staff had not shown such a caring attitude the entire £20,000 would have disappeared and the offending “would have forever remained a secret.”