LEVERE HINDS BOOTLE SEX TAPE BLACKMAIL FAILS TO REDUCE JAIL TIME
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Bootle, Levere David Hinds faced justice in Liverpool Crown Court for a series of disturbing crimes involving blackmail and the exploitation of vulnerable teenagers.Hinds, aged 57 and residing on Lathom Road in Bootle, admitted to serious offenses that included threatening to publicly broadcast a sex tape of a 17-year-old girl, as well as taking and distributing indecent photographs of minors.
The court heard that in May of the previous year, Hinds approached the young girl with a chilling proposition.
He claimed to possess a video recording of her engaging in sexual acts with seven different men.
Exploiting her fears and vulnerability, Hinds demanded a sum of between £200 and £220 in exchange for the memory card containing the footage.
He threatened to 'broadcast' the video on a large screen if she refused to pay, ominously warning her, “I am going to expose you to everyone.” The impact of Hinds’s threats was profound.
The victim reportedly suffered from intense fear, anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks, and depression as a result of his intimidation.
Judge David Stockdale QC described Hinds’s actions as 'sinister' and emphasized the victim’s vulnerability, noting that she had already been exploited sexually by others prior to this incident.
Further disturbing details emerged during the trial.
Hinds was also found to have taken indecent photographs of another teenage girl and subsequently distributed these images to others.
The court was told that he had also telephoned this second victim, threatening to slash her tyres and telling her, “You should kill yourself.” The emotional toll on this young girl was evident, with reports of insomnia, weight loss, and stress-related anxiety.
Hinds’s legal team argued that his sentence of 40 months, handed down for the offences of blackmail and possession and distribution of indecent images, was excessively harsh and sought to have it reduced.
However, Judge Stockdale firmly rejected this appeal, stating, “The total sentence of 40 months is neither manifestly excessive nor wrong in principle.” The judge concluded by refusing Hinds’s application for leave to appeal, underscoring the seriousness of his crimes and the need for appropriate punishment to reflect the harm caused to his victims.
