Deadly threat in blackmail case

Published on 22nd March 2007 in News

A GOOLE heroin addict told a jury that an alleged drug dealer threatened to cut off his penis and put it in his mouth if he did not settle a drug debt.

Self-confessed addict Andrew Barker (34) said a man he knew only as Mark also told him he would 'blow off his face' with a gun.

Giving evidence at Hull Crown Court Mr Barker, of Goole, said he was upset with himself because he had smoked £200 worth of 'crack' stones which he could not afford to pay for.

Michael Fadairo (18), of Penpoll Road, Hackney, London, has gone on trial denying a single charge of blackmailing Mr Barker by demanding money with menaces on December 8 last year.

Giving evidence from the witness box on Tuesday Mr Barker said he was at home with his girlfriend and their son when 'Mark' rattled the letter box at 8am.

He said his girlfriend got up and let the man in; his son was off school as he was unwell. "He asked for money," said Mr Barker. "I explained I didn't have any. He (Mark) was quite irate and angry. He said I had disrespected him. He initially asked me for £240 I owed. Then he asked for £400 the next day and £500 the day after that."

"He said he would take a revolver out of his bag and shoot my f*****g face off. I didn't see a gun. He had a hunting knife in his hand. He said he had committed murder before, and murder to him did not mean anything.

"He said he had a knife and for what I had done he would cut my d**k off and put it in my mouth. He said he had done it before and quite enjoyed it."

"He had the hunting knife in his hand. I felt very worried, extremely concerned because I had my partner in the house upstairs with my son. I was nervous that something would happen."

Deadly deadline to collect cash

Mr Barker told the jury that a 10am deadline was set to pay the money. His girlfriend left the house to try and get a crisis loan from the DSS but failed.

Mr Barker had earlier told the jury that he had been introduced to Mark as the brother of a man he knew as Jay who was arrested by the police for possession of drugs. He said Jay was a pushy London Afro-Caribbean who wanted to deal from his home because it was close to Goole town centre.

Mr Barker admitted he had been taking drugs for eight years. He said Mark had asked him to deal in crack cocaine on the basis that if he sold eight deals he would get two.

Armed officers arrest suspect

Armed police called at the Goole address after being contacted by Mr Barker. Mr Fadairo was arrested as he left the house. A knife was found but no gun was recovered.

Mr Fadairo denies making threats and has gone on trial at Hull Crown Court.

The case continues.