Jade Crawford (pictured) advertised her services on website AdultWork.com
A prostitute who blackmailed clients by threatening to reveal their sordid secrets if they did not hand over cash has avoided jail.
Jade Crawford, 23, from Glasgow, advertised her services on escorting website AdultWork.com using the name ‘ChantelleEK’.
She was contacted by two men, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, and exchanged details on the messaging service WhatsApp.
One man, who said he was not in a physical relationship with his wife and regularly used the escorting website, arranged to meet up with her at his Lanarkshire home.
She failed to show up but said she would tell his family about his messages before sending him a photo of his wife and demanding money.
He paid the cash but was driven to the brink of suicide and only called in police after contacting the Samaritans.
A second victim, from Ayrshire, also called in police after he handed over £150 when Crawford threatened to expose him to his wife.
Detectives linked both incidents through mobile phone numbers and bank details and Crawford was arrested.
Crawford admitted two charges of extortion in December and February.
She has now been placed under supervision for a year at Hamilton Sheriff Court and ordered to perform 150 hours of unpaid work.
Andy Thomson, defending, said: ‘Her remorse for this is completely genuine, and she has shown great understanding about what she has done.
‘She considers herself a horrible human being and she is disgusted with herself.
‘Other people are behind this but she will not name them, they preyed on a vulnerable young lady and she indulged in this behaviour which she will regret for the rest of her life.’
Depute fiscal Michael Macintosh said: ‘One of the complainers is married and has been in a non-physical relationship with his wife for a number of years and says he is a regular user of the AdultWork website and has never had any issue.
‘He checked the website and saw a female who was to his liking by the name ChantelleEK and sent her an email indicating an interest in certain services.
‘He paid £40 by bank transfer and a further £8 after she encountered transport difficulties but the escort did not attend and he asked why.
‘She made reference to medical issues but he asked for a refund and followed that up.
![Crawford (pictured) admitted two charges of extortion in December and February and has walked free from court](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/04/16/46FAC04000000578-0-image-a-67_1512405826581.jpg)
Crawford (pictured) admitted two charges of extortion in December and February and has walked free from court
‘He then received a message saying ‘does your wife know you message escorts?’ with a photo of the complainer and his wife which appeared to be from his Facebook page.
‘The message went on ‘it would be a shame for her to know you have been up to’ and it went on to name his children before adding ‘what would they think?’
‘The complainer ignored the message but she left a message saying she would send the information to family and friends and she demanded £110 by 2..30pm or she would send the information.
‘The complainer was so troubled about the situation he was in, he was contemplating taking his own life and contacted Samaritans and was told to contact the police.’
Mr Macintosh said the second man received text messages after cancelling his meeting with Crawford.
He added: ‘He received a message saying ‘my boss is not happy at you for wasting my time’ and the message went on to name the complainer’s wife saying ‘she won’t be happy you are messaging escorts.’
Sheriff Ray Small said: ‘You pled guilty to two potentially serious charges of extortion committed, on the face of it, in the sex industry.
‘You know realise the serious nature of what you did and it is to your credit that you realised the error of your ways and stopped the behaviour.
‘But I will stop short of custody because of your limited record and the sums involved.’