Man who extorted vulnerable woman for two years jailed
A WICK man who extorted thousands of pounds over a two year period through a protection racket has been jailed for three years.
Alexander MacAlpine (23) of Cairndhuna Terrace appeared at Wick Sheriff Court on Friday when he pleaded guilty to causing a state of fear and alarm and apprehension by extorting money and medication from a vulnerable woman.
The incidents took place between July 2010 and April 2012 when MacAlpine paid a visit every fortnight to the woman at Cairndhuna Terrace offering protection and regularly collecting payments of £150 through her benefits and threatening that bad things would happen if she didn't pay.
Sheriff Andrew Berry said his crime was uncommon and unwelcome in a part of the world where people try to get along with each other before issuing a lengthy sentence.
