A WOMAN who was sent distressing blackmail letters demanding £40,000 has been left a “bag of nerves”, a jury heard yesterday.

Paul Giulletti, aged 43, of Blackwater Close, Bettws is charged with two counts of blackmail. He denies the charges and is on conditional bail.

It is alleged that Giulletti sent two letters to a Gwent couple, in order to obtain £40,000 on April 4, 2014 and April 25, 2014.

Newport Crown Court heard yesterday how the letters were typed on headed paper, with the company name Quinn Radiators at the top and a mobile telephone number attached.

James Wilson, prosecuting, alleged that Giulletti used an alias, Lee Griffiths, to send the letters.

In the first letter, addressed to the wife, the writer detailed how he had been sacked from his job after 10 years’ service, following a supposed complaint against him.

He claimed he knew all of the couple’s bank details and their “scams in getting extra income through the door”.

It is alleged that the defendant offered to sell them the information for £40,000; if they did nothing, he said he would go to the police.

Giving evidence yesterday, the alleged victim said: “I was petrified and I was going out of my mind.

“I was physically sick and my heart was turning over whenever the postman came.

“I couldn’t stay in the house on my own.”

The court heard how on April 25, another letter was sent – this time addressed to the woman's husband.

In the letter, again signed by Lee Griffiths, he said he had a “massive amount” of photos and videos that would shock them.

Giving evidence yesterday, the second alleged victim said: “I didn’t know anyone of that name [Lee Griffiths] and I didn’t take any notice at first.

“But, my wife’s a bag of nerves and a wreck.

“She won’t go out unless there’s someone in the house and she doesn’t socialise any more.”

The court heard how the letter was sent by recorded delivery. The code on was traced back to Bettws Post Office and CCTV captured Giulletti at the scene at the time of the letter being stamped.

He was first arrested on September 1, 2014 and initially denied sending the letters. When shown a CCTV still, however, he admitted he had sent them but that there was “no malice” in it and he had not written them.

At the same time, officers also revealed that his finger prints were on one of the letters inside the envelope.

The court also heard that when officers eventually rang the telephone number from the letters on December 8, it was the defendant who answered.

Proceeding.