A Kirkby man has been jailed for four years after blackmailing tradesmen with false claims and stalking a woman who worked at a restaurant. Adam Joyce, 25, of St Peter's Close, was sentenced on Tuesday 10 November at Liverpool Crown Court for nine blackmail offences and one count of stalking involving serious alarm or distress.
False Claims and Threats
Liverpool Crown Court heard that Joyce called tradesmen demanding refunds for allegedly faulty work. However, the allegations were false, as no work had been done at the addresses or vehicles given. When victims did not transfer money to his bank account, he threatened them with violence and said he would rape women in their families.
Two victims transferred money as a result of his threats. Joyce further harassed victims by sending taxis to their homes and asking for payment for fares he had made, and he also rang emergency services requesting ambulances to their addresses.
Stalking and Impact
Other reports included Joyce persistently calling a restaurant to ask if a female staff member was in work, causing alarm and fear to the woman and staff there. The offences involved 10 victims from as far afield as Bradford and Conwy in North Wales. A restraining order has also been put in place.
Detective Constable Grace Fieldhouse, who led the investigation, said: "Joyce was persistent in his calls where he attempted to blackmail and extort money from roofing companies, builders, mechanics and a plasterer for so-called faulty work he claimed they had carried out. These were all false allegations at they hadn't caried out any work for him."
Police Response
Fieldhouse added: "He caused further alarm and distress to the victims when they didn't hand over money by threatening to harm their family. He targeted nine tradesmen mainly from the Merseyside region but also in Conwy and Bradford. Joyce's actions were very disturbing to his victims who feared the repercussions if they didn't pay him, and this prompted two people to give him money."
She also noted that Joyce sent ambulances to victims' homes, which prevented medics from attending those who genuinely needed it in an emergency. In other instances, Joyce stalked a woman he did not know by consistently calling the restaurant where she worked, which caused immense fear and resulted in her giving up her job. Fieldhouse said: "I hope Joyce uses the time behind bars to reflect on the severity of what he did, and the extreme distress he has caused to his victims."
To report a crime, contact Merseyside Police via their social media desk on X or Facebook @MerPolCC, or call 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always call 999.
