A CARDIGAN woman is facing a jail sentence after she was convicted of blackmailing a man in his late 80s.

Linda Mary Thomas, 62, had threatened to make a false allegation to police that he had sexually assaulted her unless he gave her £10,000.

But after he handed over the money she demanded an additional £10,000.

Thomas, of Briscwm Cottages, had denied blackmail but was found guilty following a retrial at Swansea Crown Court. After a first trial in March, the jury had been unable to agree a majority verdict.

The jury heard how the man became so worried by her threats that he withdrew £10,000 from his account.

When he returned a short while later to withdraw a second £10,000, bank staff became concerned and contacted social services, who called the police.

When police officers arrested Thomas she told them she had been intending to contact them herself with a complaint of her own against the man.

Despite extensive searches by police the original £10,000 was never found.

After the guilty verdict, Judge Geraint Walters agreed to postpone sentencing until a probation officer had prepared a report into her background.

Thomas will be sentenced early next month and was granted bail meanwhile.