‘Blackmail demands’ | 

Man accused of demanding £10k from dad of coke addict told him ‘big boys’ would burn his house down

A detective said Reece Carley allegedly told the terrified father: “The big boys want paid by Friday or the house is getting burnt.”

Today at 06:59

A Co Antrim man accused of demanding £10,000 from the father of a cocaine addict told him “big boys” would burn his house down if he didn’t settle the drugs debt, it was claimed in court.

A detective said Reece Carley allegedly told the terrified father: “The big boys want paid by Friday or the house is getting burnt.”

Ballymena Magistrates’ Court heard claims that Carley (22), who police believe is a member of a large organised crime gang, telephoned the victim and called at his house to issue blackmail demands.

It was also claimed that Carley had been paid £13,000 two months beforehand to cover an earlier drug debt.

Carley, from Adair Manor in Ballymena, appeared in the dock handcuffed and wearing a police-issue grey tracksuit.

He confirmed that he understood the four charges against him, all alleged to have been committed between September 30 and October 6 this year.

Carley is charged with blackmail by making demands for £10,000 with menaces; harassment of the alleged victim; threatening to damage property; and being concerned in the supply of class A cocaine.

Giving evidence during a contested bail application, a detective constable said police were objecting to bail over fears of witness interference and further offences.

He said the alleged victim contacted police to report “he was being blackmailed by the defendant over a drug debt owed by his son, who is a cocaine addict”.

“The injured party had previously paid £13,000 of his son’s drug debt in July/August by using savings, borrowing from family and taking money from his pension,” said the detective, adding that, at the time, “he told the defendant that that would be the end of any payments”.

However, the complainant said Carley contacted him on October 1 to say his son had bought more cocaine and now owed another £10,000.

The officer said that when the man confronted his son, he “confirmed that the defendant had provided him with 70 grams of cocaine on tick to be paid later”.

During a phone call from a withheld number but with the alleged victim recognising Carley’s voice, the defendant told him he had to pay £10,000.

Despite the father protesting that it was not his debt, Carley allegedly told him he had until Friday, October 6 to pay.

The officer added: “Ten minutes later he got a further phone call to say that he [Carley] was at his front door.

“He spoke to the defendant at the front door and he [Carley] told him [the complainant] that the big boys won’t wait for the money.”

The officer said Carley told the complainant that “the big boys want £7,000” and £3,000 was due to him.

He said the defendant allegedly threatened: “The big boys want paid by Friday or the house is getting burnt.”

When Friday arrived, Carley was told there was no cash. He allegedly told the complainant he had until Monday to get £4,000, who again was threatened with “the big boys”.

The officer added: “The injured party is terrified of the consequences of not paying the drug debts but felt he had no option but to come to police as he cannot pay it any more.”

Highlighting police fears if Carley were to be freed, the officer told the court “there’s a large amount of money owed” and the accused is believed to be a member of a large organised crime gang. Due to repeated threats and demands being made of the injured party, police were concerned about witness interference and further offences.

Carley was arrested at his home on Wednesday and, during police interviews, refused to answer questions.

Applying for bail, defence counsel Seamas MacGiollaCheara said the alleged extortionist “denies the charges in their entirety”.

He argued Carley could be freed with a package of bail conditions to address concerns raised.

District Judge Nigel Broderick said, while the defendant was entitled to the presumption of innocence, he had to take the prosecution case, as it stands, at its height.

Describing the offences as “serious and sinister”, Judge Broderick said he was not satisfied that conditions would address the genuine concerns he shared with the detective and so he refused bail.

He remanded Carley into custody, adjourning the case to November 9.