R v Lawrence and Pomroy (1971) 57 Cr App R 64 Court of Appeal

Pomroy repaired the roof of Mr Thorn. Mr Thorn was unhappy with the work and refused to pay the full price. Pomroy demanded the remaining £70 and told him to 'keep looking over his shoulder' if he stepped out of the house. Pomroy returned to the house a few days later with Lawrence (a large man) and asked Mr Thorn to 'step outside' to sort matters out. Lawrence and Pomroy were convicted of blackmail and appealed contending they had made no threat of violence.

Held:

The convictions were upheld. The threat of violence can be implied it need not be explicitly stated.

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