Courts / Dublin / Report
Men blackmailed school student over OnlyFans account
Summary
Three men – David Ostrowski (21), Daniel Stepien (26) and Dawid Michalik (37) – were found guilty of blackmailing a secondary‑school girl who had set up an OnlyFans account. Stepien threatened to release explicit photographs to her family and friends unless she paid €10,000. He sent her screenshots of her father's Facebook page and images of her home. Gardaí set up a sting operation; the victim was advised to leave the cash in a car in Clonsilla. Michalik later retrieved the envelope, while Ostrowski supplied the information that enabled the scheme. All three pleaded guilty. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Stepien to 3½ years' imprisonment, Michalik to 2 years, and adjourned Ostrowski to a future hearing to decide on community service or a 21‑month term. The case involved possession of cannabis and other minor offences. The victim was a final‑year secondary‑school student who had blocked the account after receiving threats.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Men blackmailed school student over OnlyFans account. Charges or matters: making an unwarranted demand for €10,000 with menace on dates between March 6 and March 9, 2021; the same offence of making unwarranted demands of €10,000 and possession of cannabis at his home on March 9, 2021; demanding money with menace. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 6 Incident
- March 9, 2021 Incident
- March 2021 Other
- 2022-11-08 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: making an unwarranted demand for €10,000 with menace on dates between March 6 and March 9, 2021; the same offence of making unwarranted demands of €10,000 and possession of cannabis at his home on March 9, 2021; demanding money with menace (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He said Stepien had the "highest level of culpability" and sentenced him to three and half years in prison.; Judge Nolan adjourned Ostrowski to next March to allow for the preparation of a report from the Probation Service to determine if he is suitable for community service.
Defendant
Charges: making an unwarranted demand for €10,000 with menace on dates between March 6 and March 9, 2021; the same offence of making unwarranted demands of €10,000 and possession of cannabis at his home on March 9, 2021; demanding money with menace (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Nolan adjourned Ostrowski to next March to allow for the preparation of a report from the Probation Service to determine if he is suitable for community service. If deemed suitable he said he would order that Ostrowski carry out 150 hours of community service in lieu of a 21-month prison term. "He would be going to jail if he was two or three years older.; Judge Nolan adjourned Ostrowski to next March to allow for the preparation of a report from the Probation Service to determine if he is suitable for community service.
Defendant
Charges: making an unwarranted demand for €10,000 with menace on dates between March 6 and March 9, 2021; the same offence of making unwarranted demands of €10,000 and possession of cannabis at his home on March 9, 2021; demanding money with menace (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Nolan adjourned Ostrowski to next March to allow for the preparation of a report from the Probation Service to determine if he is suitable for community service.
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