Libel Act 1843

III Publishing or threatening to publish a Libel, or proposing to abstain from publishing any thing, with Intent to extort Money, punishable by Imprisonment and hard Labour.

And be it enacted, That if any Person shall publish or threaten to publish any Libel upon any other Person, or shall directly or indirectly threaten to print or publish, or shall directly or indirectly propose to abstain from printing or publishing, or shall directly or indirectly offer to prevent the printing or publishing, of any Matter or Thing touching any other Person, with Intent to extort any Money or Security for Money, or any valuable Thing from such or any other Person, or with Intent to induce any Person to confer or procure for any Person any Appointment or Office of Profit or Trust, every such Offender, on being convicted thereof, shall be liable to be imprisoned, with or without hard Labour, in the Common Gaol or House of Correction, for any Term not exceeding Three Years : Provided always, that nothing herein contained shall in any Manner alter or affect any Law now in force in respect of the sending or Delivery of threatening Letters or Writings.