THE final member of a ruthless blackmail gang who fleeced a wealthy North Yorkshire farmer of £200,000 has been jailed for two years.

Patrick Stokes, aged 38, appeared before Teesside Crown Court for sentencing today (Wednesday, July 27) after pleading guilty to conspiracy to blackmail, between August and September last year, at an earlier hearing.

The court heard that Stokes was part of a four-strong gang that blackmailed the Richmondshire farmer last summer.

Although he was not the main perpetrator, mobile phone records showed that Stokes was in the vicinity of each handover of money from the victim to the men, who were part of the travelling community.

The meetings took place across the country, including London, Darlington, Scotch Corner and Staffordshire, after threats were made to shoot the farmer and harm his family unless he handed over the cash.

In mitigation, Balbir Singh, described Stokes as having been “swept along on the periphery” of the case and said he was not a “leading light” in the offence.

“He (Stokes) played a lesser role and was never present for any of the handovers," he added.

“For some, he was in the geographic area and for others he was much further away.

“He never connects with the complainant.

“There is no evidence that he got anything out of this.

“He has never been in trouble before and he is a family man – a devoted father, husband and son.”

Jailing Stokes, of Water Lane, Cottenham in Cambridgeshire, for two years, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Bourne-Arton, told him: “You became involved in what was a cold and professional case.

“Some back-up was needed and you became involved for that reason.

“You were not the main player in this scheme but you knew what was involved.

“To that extent, you have to take the punishment.

“The victim was utterly terrified and thought that he would be shot and seriously injured if he didn’t comply with the demands.

“Not by you, I accept that, but as part of a team.”

Earlier this year, Christy Stokes, aged 44, who lived in Hampshire, Dennis McGinley, aged 36, and Bernard McGinley, aged 25, were all jailed for between three and seven years, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud.

Dennis McGinley’s wife, Bianca, aged 31, was given a six-month suspended sentence after admitting a charge of money laundering. The McGinley's all lived on a traveller's site in Somerset.