Ex-Wife Sentenced for Blackmailing Dentist Husband with False Allegations

A former wife who threatened to ruin her dentist ex-husband's career with false allegations of drinking between patients has been given a suspended sentence and a restraining order. Dina Williamson, 39, admitted to blackmail after attempting to extort more money from her ex-husband, Ben Williamson, during their divorce proceedings.

Williamson threatened to report Mr. Williamson to the General Dental Council (GDC) unless he paid her a larger share of their divorce settlement. When he directed her to communicate through his lawyers, she proceeded with her threat, lodging a complaint with the GDC in May 2025. The complaint alleged that Mr. Williamson, who is in recovery from alcoholism, had been drinking at work.

An investigation by the GDC ensued, during which Mr. Williamson faced significant stress and anxiety. After a nine-month investigation, he was formally cleared of any wrongdoing in February 2026, with the GDC concluding the accusations were false.

In a victim impact statement, Mr. Williamson described the ordeal as "lifechanging," compounded by "lies, threats and greed." He stated that the threat of a fitness-to-practise case "would have threatened my career." He noted that he "would have moved the world for Dina" but felt she chose "marijuana over her family" and made the divorce process "as acrimonious as possible."

During legal proceedings, prosecutors presented screenshots and messages as evidence of Williamson's attempts to blackmail her ex-husband. In one message, she stated she was relying on food banks and had maxed out her credit cards, warning, "I don't want to ruin your career going to the GDC." When Mr. Williamson blocked her messages, she responded, "No chance of a reply? See you at my funeral then?" She also posted on the dental practice's Facebook page, making unsubstantiated claims about some of the male dental surgeons being unfaithful.

Mitigation for Williamson argued that her actions stemmed from "sheer desperation" and a mental health crisis following the relationship's breakdown. Her defense stated she knew her actions were wrong and that a custodial sentence filled her with "absolute terror."

At Bournemouth Crown Court, Dina Williamson pleaded guilty to blackmail. She received a three-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months. Judge Jonathan Fuller acknowledged her "embittered" state over perceived unfair treatment but emphasized that her "salacious and vexatious allegations" sought to undermine her ex-husband's professional reputation. He concluded that she was attempting to damage him unless he provided money, which constitutes blackmail.

In addition to the suspended sentence, Williamson was given a five-year restraining order, prohibiting her from contacting her ex-husband. She was pictured leaving Bournemouth Crown Court after the sentencing, where she also received the restraining order. Mr. Williamson, a dentist for 16 years, had reported his ex-wife to the police following the incident.