Appeal for Fenland blackmail victims to come forward after man is jailed

POLICE have appealed for victims of blackmail to have the courage to come forward after a man was jailed for preying on a countryman.

Farm worker Rimantus Kavaliauskas, 24, from King’s Lynn, threatened his victim with violence if he didn’t hand over �150, stealing his passport as collateral to ensure he paid up.

The victim, a 24-year-old Lithiuanian man also from King’s Lynn, finally reported the matter to police after being threatened by Kavaliauskas while shopping at a supermarket and at his work place in the town.

Kavaliauskas, of Cresswell Street, pleaded guilty to blackmail between December 2010 and January 2011 on the first day of his trial at Norwich Crown Court on Wednesday. He was subsequently sentenced to 23 months in jail.

The case was reported in January in both English and Lithuanian as police appealed for victims of this type of crime to come forward.

Det Sgt Andy Ninham, from King’s Lynn CID, said: “We believe that this type of crime is all too common within the Eastern European community and that victims feel isolated and intimidated, so do not report these crimes to the police.

“We want to reassure anyone who has been victimised in this way that they can have confidence in the police to take their complaint seriously and deal robustly with the offenders.”

• If you are a victim of crime or suspect criminal activity call police on 0845 456 4567 or visit www.norfolk.police.uk