November 2011 Paedophile confessed after demands from child abuse victim A PAEDOPHILE turned himself in and confessed his crimes when the victim of his abuse, from Northampton, began blackmailing him decades later. Patrick O’Keefe, aged 59, started receiving text messages in February 2010, demanding £1,500 with menaces to guarantee his victim’s silence, but after meeting in Milton Keynes and handing over an instalment of ‘hush money’, the blackmail demands continued. Alex Bull, prosecuting at Northampton Crown Court yesterday, said: “O’Keefe subsequently admitted four counts against his blackmailer. The money was exchanged and as his victim left the station, he said that would be the last he would hear from him. But there was further contact, and after a second demand for money, O’Keefe decided to contact the police.” O’Keefe, of Eaglestone, Milton Keynes, pleaded guilty to four indecent assaults of a child, committed between May 1979 and May 1983. He was jailed for 22 months, placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register and made subject of an indefinite sexual offences prevention order in February. Judge Michael Fowler said: “There’s been the inevitable damage [on the victim] and there’s plainly been turmoil in his life brought about by your actions.” The case can only now be reported as the victim of his abuse was convicted of blackmailing him after a trial last month. The identity of the 44-year-old blackmailer, of east Northampton, cannot be published as he is the victim of sexual offences. Passing sentence, Judge Lynn Tayton QC said she was taking an exceptional course and would suspend “the inevitable prison sentence”. He received 51 weeks, suspended for two years, with supervision, a nine-months’ drugs rehabilitation requirement and a six-month 7pm to 7am curfew. Paul Orton, mitigating, said: “He felt justified asking for £1,500 for the years of abuse he suffered when no one would believe him.” Sentencing, Judge Tayton: “The Court of Appeal has made clear on many occasions that deterrent sentences for blackmail are generally required but in this case there are mitigating features. You have suffered from anxiety and depression for a long time with continuing drug use. You have indicated your drug use is a direct result consequence of these problems and the abuse. “However, your case is distinguishable from others. Given the length of the sentence I intend to impose and the wholly exceptional circumstances. I can just suspend the inevitable sentence of imprisonment.”