Reality star hopeful Jimmy Featherstone, also known as “Hull’s Ken Doll”, appeared in court after repeatedly blackmailing two men. He made sinister “sextortion” demands for money and threatened to ruin their lives. Featherstone, 25, left one of his victims “scared and terrified” as the constant threats had a “massive impact” on him and his family, Hull Crown Court heard.
Known for his love of fake tanning and cosmetic surgery, the ‘Ken Doll’ admitted to blackmailing one man by demanding unwarranted money between August 17 and 19 last year. While he was on bail for that offence, he blackmailed a second male victim on January 2 this year. Prosecutor Jennifer Gatland said the first man had a long-term girlfriend and young daughter. He joined an online dating site where he saw a profile picture “displaying a bottom” which led to an exchange of messages. However, he later realised that he was speaking with a man, not a woman.
The exchange of messages continued, and he sent two pictures: One of his face and the other of his genitals. The man then received a message using his name, telling him that the person he was chatting with online recognised him.
Following this, Featherstone, the person talking to the victim, knew he had a girlfriend and threatened to send pictures to his friends and family, as well as posting them on Facebook.
Featherstone ordered him to pay £70 for it to “all be over” and sent his bank details. The man then sent him the money, asking if this would be the end.
The “Hull Ken Doll” then asked for another £40, claiming it would now be the end. He sent the money, yet woke up on August 18 to a Facebook message asking for a further £80, or the pictures would be shared.
More messages were delivered demanding more money – he had sent a total of £120 at this point.
On January 2, the second male victim received a message from a number linked to Featherstone saying that he “can travel today if you want fun”. It also included a threat saying the person had a picture of him and the victim was told: “You won’t mess me around. You owe me £80. Think I give a f***. I will just message your lass if I don’t get it.”
Featherstone phones the man multiple times and sends PayPal requests for £50 with a link. The man did not know Featherstone but he had been using the Grindr app. No money changed hands with Featherstone.
The first man said he was “scared and terrified” and he “had some really dark thoughts”. He felt “angry and guilty”, taking time off work because of his mental state. “I was terrified of losing my family,” he said.
“This situation has had a massive impact on us,” he said, referring to his girlfriend.
The second man was worried about his career, saying: “It’s affecting my mental health because of this worrying,” he said.
Judge Tahir Khan KC told Featherstone: “Although you have been in bother in the past, it was some time ago. I have no doubt at all that immediate custody will be devastating for you.
“You behaved very badly in blackmailing the victims but you had the good sense to plead guilty at the first opportunity and that makes all the difference. Rather than send you into custody, the most constructive way of dealing with you is by way of punishment within the community.”
Featherstone was given a 20-month suspended prison sentence, six months of drug rehabilitation and 15 days of rehabilitation. He was given a three-year restraining order relating to the first blackmail victim.
