Section 237 — Crimes Act 1961: Blackmail

237 Blackmail (1) Every one commits blackmail who threatens, expressly or by implication, to make any accusation against any person (whether living or dead), to disclose something about any person (whether living or dead), or to cause serious damage to property or endanger the safety of any person with intent— (a) to cause the person to whom the threat is made to act in accordance with the will of the person making the threat; and (b) to obtain any benefit or to cause loss to any other person. (2) Every one who acts in the manner described in subsection (1) is guilty of blackmail, even though that person believes that he or she is entitled to the benefit or to cause the loss, unless the making of the threat is, in the circumstances, a reasonable and proper means for effecting his or her purpose. (3) In this section and in section 239 , benefit means any benefit, pecuniary advantage, privilege, property, service, or valuable consideration. Compare: 1961 No 43 s 238 Subsection (2) was inserted, as from 2 July 1999, by section 4 Crimes (Home Invasion) Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 75). Subsection (2) was repealed, as from 30 June 2002, by section 164(b) Sentencing Act 2002 (2002 No 9). See sections 148 to 160 Sentencing Act 2002 (2002 No 9) for the savings and transitional provisions. See clause 2 Sentencing Act Commencement Order 2002 (SR 2002/176). Part 10 (comprising sections 217 to 305) was substituted by a new Part 10 (comprising sections 217 to 272), as from 1 October 2003, by section 15 Crimes Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 39).