A Scots businessman threatened to “kneecap” a horse trader after claiming he sold him a lame nag.
Lee Concannon, 31, from Hamilton, had bought the animal for £4000 from the trader based in north-west England. But after picking up the horse, Concannan claimed it had serious arthritis and he would need to spend a fortune in vet bills.
After demands for a refund were refused, he sent a threatening message to the trader saying he would be “kneecapped in front of his wife and children”. Messages were sent from an unknown number on three successive days.
On June 7, 2021, one message to the seller – who can’t be named for legal reasons – said “pay £2000” or “he would be kneecapped in front of his wife and children”. The next day, the seller received a picture of a knife and hammer with the word “Thursday” written on it.
And on June 9, there was further message which read “pay £2000 by 11am tomorrow” or the defendant “was coming around”. The matter was reported to police. Concannon admitted three offences of blackmail when the case called at Carlisle Crown Court.
Concannon’s lawyer, Andrew Gurney, told the court his client said the horse was not sold in the agreed condition. There was evidence, said Gurney, of the animal being “diagnosed with arthritis and not being able to bear weight”.
Gurney claimed that might have provided some justification for Concannon’s contact with the seller, although not the threats he had made. Judge Richard Archer adjourned the case for evidence to be produced. Concannon was bailed and is due back at the court on June 16.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here .
