Demi Sweatman, a 24-year-old mother of three from Werneth Road in Grimsby, sent nude photos to men online for cash, then demanded more money from them by claiming she was only 15 and threatening to tell their family and friends. According to major media reports, one man paid a total of £1,150 and another man, who was a student, paid £290. ' One man responded with a request and she offered to send nude photos for £20.
Sweatman then sent messages claiming to be 15 years old and threatening to tell the man's family and friends, unless he paid a further £50. The victim sent a total of £1,150, with a sum of £500 paid into the account of her former partner, Charlie Anderson, 22, formerly of Werneth Road. In October 2024, Sweatman posted a photograph on Facebook Dating offering more nude photographs.
A student responded and sent money for pornographic content. Again, Sweatman took the young man's details and threatened to expose him for asking for photographs, claiming to be a 15-year-old girl. The victim initially sent £40 for the photographs and then £250 when he was threatened with exposure.
Humberside Police were contacted and both were arrested but denied any offences. The student contacted police and Sweatman was arrested, but denied being responsible. Anderson also denied a charge of money laundering.
When his trial was due to be heard, Sweatman provided evidence to the prosecution and Anderson changed his plea to guilty to money laundering. Sweatman admitted two offences of blackmail and Anderson admitted an offence of money laundering. Both victims had suffered anxiety and fear because of the blackmail, according to prosecutor Craig Lowe.
Tim Savage, mitigating on behalf of Sweatman, said she had no previous offences recorded against her and she was a young mother of three children. The specific sentences for Sweatman and Anderson have not been disclosed, and the exact timeline of events remains unclear.