THE jury in a Cardigan blackmail trial has been discharged after failing to reach even a majority verdict.

The Crown Prosecution Service must inform Swansea Crown Court by 30 March if a re-trial is to be held.

Linda Mary Thomas, aged 61, of Briscwm Cottage, St Dogmaels, had denied blackmailing a man in his 80s, who cannot be named for legal reasons, out of £10,000 and of demanding a further £10,000.

Staff at Lloyds in Cardigan became concerned about the amounts of cash the man was withdrawing and contacted the social services, who called in the police.

Thomas told the officers sent to arrest her that she had intended to contact them herself with a complaint of her own.