WA pair tried to extort mum with rape lie

A former Perth couple who tried to extort $3000 from a woman's mother by claiming she had been kidnapped and would be raped if money was not paid have been spared jail time.

Shaakira Solomon, 25, and Jordache Clifford May, 31, were sentenced in the West Australian District Court on Tuesday to 15 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, with supervision and program orders.

The judge said general deterrence was important but no money was handed over, there was no violence, the co-offenders pleaded guilty, neither had prior criminal records, and both had taken steps to stop their drug use.