Trans ‘Woman’ “Threatened to Firebomb Law Firm”, Court Hears

A trans ‘woman’ has been accused of a £100,000 blackmail plot to firebomb a law firm, a court has heard. The Telegraph has the story.

Ella Potter, 28, is said to have threatened and demanded money from Norton Peskett solicitors, based in Norfolk, on July 17th last year.

The defendant is accused of telling a senior partner at the firm that his arson threat would be carried out unless a six-figure cash sum was paid, Norwich magistrates’ court was told.

Potter, who is male but identifies as a transgender female, appeared in court to face a single charge of blackmail.

Wearing a skirt but with a full beard, the defendant was referred to as “Miss Potter” throughout the hearing despite being identified as male on court documents.

Wendy Davidson, prosecuting, said the charge was so serious that it could only be heard at a crown court.

Potter, of Wymondham, Norfolk, did not enter a formal plea to the charge. Kevin Banks-Durrell, the presiding magistrate, committed the case to Norwich Crown Court with a preliminary hearing on February 3rd.

Worth reading in full.