UPDATE: Newport man found guilty of blackmail

A NEWPORT man has been found guilty of two counts of blackmail after he sent letters in order to obtain £40,000.

Paul Giulletti, aged 43, of Blackwater Close, Bettws, Newport, denied sending two letters to a Gwent couple threatening to reveal allegations unless he obtained £40,000 on April 4, 2014, and April 25, 2014.

Giulletti, who previously admitted to sending the letters in police interview, claimed he falsely confessed in order to protect someone.

This afternoon a jury returned a majority verdict and found him guilty of both offences.

Judge PK Lewis told Giulletti: "The jury has convicted you of two spiteful offences of blackmail.

"In my judgement the almost inevitable sentence to pass upon you is a significant term of imprisonment."

He adjourned the sentencing of Giulletti for July 3.

In their summing up this morning, James Wilson, prosecuting, reminded the jury of three pieces of evidence which he claimed suggests Giulletti did write the letters.

Mr Wilson highlighted Giulletti's admission, two instances of fingerprints on a letter and envelope and CCTV footage of Giullleti posting the letter as evidence the defendant wrote the letters.

But David Leathley, defending, said: "The world is full of incredible coincidences and sometimes fact is stranger than fiction".

The defence claimed someone else sent the letters.

Mr Leathley claimed his client a "clown" and "El stupid" who was not sharp enough to write the blackmail letters.

UPDATE: 2.35pm

Paul Giulletti has been found guilty of two counts of blackmail.

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THE jury is out to decide the case of a Newport man accused with two counts of blackmail.

Paul Giulletti, aged 43, of Blackwater Close, Bettws, Newport, denies sending two letters to a Gwent couple in order to obtain £40,000 on April 4, 2014, and April 25, 2014.

Giulletti, who previously admitted to sending the letters in police interview, claims he falsely confessed in order to protect someone.

This morning the counsel in the case summed up their arguments.

James Wilson, prosecuting, reminded the jury of three pieces of evidence which he claims suggests Giulletti did write the letters.

Mr Wilson highlighted Giulletti's admission, two instances of fingerprints on a letter and envelope and CCTV footage of Giullleti posting the letter as evidence the defendant wrote the letters.

But David Leathley, defending, said: "The world is full of incredible coincidences and sometimes fact is stranger than fiction".

The defence claim someone else sent the letter.

Mr Leathley called his client a "clown" and "El stupid" who was not sharp enough to write the blackmail letters.

Proceeding.