Blackmailer jailed after staging his own kidnap and torture for money

A man who staged his own kidnap to con his victims into handing over thousands of pounds has been jailed for two years and four months.

Christopher Sellman from Ashford, Kent created an elaborate series of lies to obtain cash from two people known to him, claiming that his life was in danger and he was being held to ransom.

On 15 February 2021, both victims received social media messages from an unrecognised phone number, containing a photograph of Sellman with a razor blade being held to his throat.

An accompanying message from the unknown sender said they had kidnapped Sellman and that he would only be released if the victims paid money into a bank account.

However the bank account in question was controlled by Sellman himself.

To help their friend, the victims paid the ransom, but the demands continued throughout the month.

On 24 February, the victims received another message demanding cash, this time accompanied with a photo of Sellman with a gun in his mouth. The victims paid £1,000 in response.

Other photos included Sellman with a crossbow to his face, a razor blade to the back of his head, and a video in which someone could be seen repeatedly forcing his head underwater.

In total the victims paid in the region of £10,000 in the belief both they and Sellman could come to harm otherwise.

However Sellman was caught out when detectives compared his own text messages and that of his supposed captors, and noticed they both had the same spelling and grammar mistakes.

Police went to Sellman’s former address where they arrested him.

Weapons matching those seen in the photos, as well as mobile phones containing the threatening messages were recovered from the property. 

He, along with his former partner Stephanie Gibb, were both charged with blackmail offences the following day.

Investigating officer PC Edward Pegg said: "Sellman showed an appalling abuse of trust for those who care about him, faking his own kidnap and torture for money to spend on sports clothing and takeaways.

"The victims were terrified of the consequences if they didn’t pay, their only concern being to protect Sellman.

"My thoughts are with the victims, and I hope they are able to look forward and take the time they need to recover from this incident."