Woman staged own kidnap and sent pictures of herself 'bound and gagged' to blackmail her ex

A woman from South Shore, Blackpool, sent staged photographs of herself bound and gagged to her ex-boyfriend in October 2020.

Leah Jumeaux, of Westbourne Avenue, sent pictures of herself next to a gun to her former partner, posing as a kidnapper.

The 20-year-old demanded £2,000 in exchange for her own safe return.

Jumeaux was charged with blackmail and fraud by false representation on Friday in Preston Crown Court.

The woman has been sentenced to 34 weeks in a young offenders institution after she pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of fraud.

Leah Jumeaux must also pay a £156 victims surcharge.