A FORMER traffic warden, who threatened to cut off the fingers of a woman with secateurs to settle an £8,000 debt, has been jailed.

Martin Horton, 43, of Fortescue Road, Lostwithiel, appeared via video link at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to blackmail, possession of an offensive weapon and a bladed article.

The court heard that Horton left his Cornwall home on Friday, August 4 ahead of his 400 mile journey to Bedwas, travelling via Stoke-on-Trent.

Prosecuting, Tom Roberts said that the defendant arrived at the property at around 1.30pm on Saturday, August 5, knocking at the door to distract the 20-year-old occupant.

“The defendant entered the property through the rear patio doors,” said Mr Roberts, “She thought it was someone that she or the family knew.”

With a pair of plastic gloves on his hands, the defendant threatened to cut off her fingers with a pair of secateurs if she did not tell him where her brother was, the court heard.

“He said he had done it before and he said he liked doing it,” said Mr Roberts.

“He wanted £8,000. He again pulled out the secateurs.”

Mr Roberts added that Horton said during interview that he drove to Bedwas under the pretence of collecting a debt owed to his step-daughter.

“He said he was in financial trouble but was at the house for his step-daughter, but he was down there for his own benefit,” said the barrister.

Mr Roberts said the Horton admitted in police interview to taking steroids and wearing “intimidating clothing” during the incident and a hammer was found inside his jacket.

Defending, Jeff Jones described Horton’s behaviour as “bizarre” and “completely out of character” but was unable to mitigate against the pre-meditation.

“I cannot defend the view it was clearly planned but it was not very professional,” said Mr Jones.

“He told her that he was there for an £8,000 debt.”

Mr Jones added that Horton, also a former sportsman at national level, was struggling with financial burdens at the time.

“He was feeling emotionally low like a lot of people but they don’t commit offences of this type,” said Mr Jones.

The barrister added that since Horton had been on remand, he had become “a listener to younger men in Cardiff prison”.

Concluding, recorder Eleri Rees said the defendant had “ample opportunity to reflect and turn back” after leaving his Cornwall home before arriving in Bedwas.

She added that Horton had debts of around £45,000 but had the intention of threatening anyone residing at the property for the £8,000.

“You were aggressive, you shouted at her,” said Ms Rees, “You hit a dog, you smashed a vase and you made threats to cut off her brother’s fingers and her fingers.

“She had no idea who you were.”

Ms Rees added: “Nothing can possibly justify your actions of that day.”

Horton received a two year sentence for the three counts – two years for the blackmail and nine months concurrent for the possession of an offensive weapon and a bladed article.

Ms Rees imposed a restraining order on Horton which will prevent him from contacting any member of the family and entering Bedwas, the terms of which will be defined on his release from prison.

He will be released on licence midway through his sentence and will be required to pay a victim surcharge.