A self-styled “gangster” loaned money to desperate women and then threatened to rip their faces off when they couldn’t pay back double what they had borrowed.
James McPhee, from Crieff, advertised his amateur cash-lending services on social media.
He gave money to two local woman who were in financial hardship, but demanded they pay back twice the amount.
And when they were unable to pay, he made violent threats against them and their families.
He told them: “I’m a f***ing gangster.”
McPhee, 28, appeared via video link at Perth Sheriff Court on Thursday and admitted two counts of attempted extortion.
‘It’s pay day today’
Fiscal depute Michael Sweeney said that in early August 2021, McPhee’s first victim Samantha Ashworth was struggling financially.
“She was aware that the accused advertised on Snapchat that he would loan out money,” he told the court.
Ms Ashworth messaged McPhee on Facebook and asked to borrow £250.
“The accused agreed to the loan, on the provision that Ms Ashworth paid back £500 by August 27,” said Mr Sweeney. “Ms Ashworth agreed to these terms.”
The money was sent to her bank account soon after.
“On August 27, Ms Ashworth transferred £250 back to the account,” said the fiscal depute.
“She said she would pay back only the amount that she borrowed.”
Ms Ashworth later received a message from McPhee.
“You don’t pay enough,” he wrote. “£250 today then it gets doubled to £500. That’s the rules.”
She did not respond, said Mr Sweeney.
Threatening messages and voicemails
McPhee then contacted a member of Ms Ashworth’s family. “Tell your dopey sister to stop ignoring me,” he wrote. “It’s pay day today.”
He then contacted Ms Ashworth again and told her: “Yous are getting it.”
Mr Sweeney said: “Ms Ashworth felt threatened and intimidated by these messages and contacted the police.”
Officers reviewed messages that McPhee left for a relative of Ms Ashworth.
He wrote: “She’s getting away with f*** all. She’s f***ing dead.
“She’s getting her f***ing face ripped off her. I want my money and I want it right f***ing now.”
Second victim had learning difficulties
Mr Sweeney said that McPhee’s second victim was a vulnerable adult with learning difficulties.
He said: “In April 2021, she too was suffering financial hardship and she knew that the accused would loan money to associates.
“She messaged him on Snapchat and asked to borrow £200.”
McPhee told her to pay back £400 by May 10.
The pair met in a park and McPhee handed over the money in cash.
On April 28, the same woman asked him for a further £200.
She agreed to hand over £800 on May 10.
But the day before her deadline, she told McPhee she could not afford to pay him.
“The accused replied, saying: ‘A deal is a deal.’
“He said he would ‘rip your f***ing face off’ and referred to her as a ‘dopey c***.'”
McPhee, listed on court papers as a prisoner in HMP Perth, later told a relative of the woman: “I’m a f***ing gangster. This is not how it works.
“I’ve a good mind to slash (her) and her whole f***ing family.”
Denied making threats
Mr Sweeney said telecoms data was used to trace McPhee using the number of the phone he was using.
When arrested he admitted he had loaned money to people who were struggling financially, but denied making threats.
Sheriff William Wood told McPhee: “I’ve listened to all that’s been said about this case.
“But because you have never had a custodial sentence as an adult I will need a background report.
“You will be remanded in custody in the meantime.”
The case was deferred until May 11.
