Mill Hill: Blackmailers told a Mill Hill shopworker they had kidnapped his pregnant wife in order to steal thousands of pounds from his employers.

Fiona Toussaint, 31, from Neasden, and Sally Honour, 27, of Wembley, were jailed on Tuesday for their part in the plot.

Another gang member, Rickey Ancel James, 34, is already serving three years in prison after pleading guilty to blackmail earlier this year.

The victim, who has not been named by detectives, was contacted at work at Argos in Pentavia Retail Park, Watford, on September 10 last year and told his wife had been kidnapped.

He was instructed to empty the store's safe and meet at a pick-up point on the A41.

But, despite threats, the victim immediately contacted the Metropolitan Police Flying Squad and officers set up a sting operation.

The three gang members were arrested within hours, James at the scene and Toussaint and Honour after logged phone calls revealed their role in the plot. Both women had previously worked with the victim at Argos.

His wife was safe and well and had not been kidnapped, it transpired.

Detective Chief Inspector Bob Cummings, of the serious crime group, said outside court: "For hours the man believed his pregnant wife had really been kidnapped and he was extremely concerned for her safety."

Toussaint and Honour pleaded guilty to blackmail when they appeared at Harrow Crown Court in October and were sentenced to 18 and nine months respectively on Tuesday.

November 15, 2001 15:30