Source: Kent Police published on this website Wednesday 6 May 2026 by Jill Powell
Rico Castle has been sentenced to more than three years in prison. A blackmailer from Ashford who preyed upon a vulnerable man for over two years to obtain tens of thousands of pounds has been jailed.
Rico Castle, 21, admitted to making an unwarranted demand of money between January 2021 and July 2023.
A report was made to Kent Police after the victim disclosed the offending to a trusted person.
An investigation was immediately launched and enquiries established that Castle had forced the man to part with more than £22,000 in total.
Detectives found that, after meeting his victim on an occasion in 2021, Castle began pressuring the man for money when he learned he had a savings account.
The victim was told that the money would be paid back, but this did not happen.
The offender’s demands became excessive, asking for increasing amounts of cash and threatening to harm the victim and those he cared about if he refused. Frightened of potential repercussions for not paying, the victim continued to hand over the money each time.
A person close to the man became concerned about changes in his behaviour, leading to the victim’s disclosure and police being alerted on 7 July 2023.
Initial enquiries were completed and Castle was arrested. Following a complex investigation, he was later charged with blackmail.
Castle, formerly of Willesborough Road, Kennington, pleaded guilty before Canterbury Crown Court and, on 21 April 2026, was sentenced at the same court to three years and four months’ imprisonment.
Investigating officer PC Ed Pegg said:
“Castle is a greedy, manipulative offender who intimidated a vulnerable victim for financial gain. He cared nothing for the distress and anxiety he caused, nor was he concerned about taking tens of thousands of pounds from somebody else. I am m pleased that Castle has been given a custodial sentence and I hope it is of some comfort to the victim to know that he has been put behind bars. Those who would seek to exploit others in this way should expect to be made to face the consequences of their crimes.”
