Man accused of football blackmail

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/manchester/7354567.stm

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A former Manchester City youth player has appeared in court accused of blackmailing a Premier League star.

Goalkeeper Ashley Timms, 22, is alleged to have demanded £15,000 from the player, who cannot be named.

Mr Timms, of Middleton, Greater Manchester, was bailed after the hearing at Manchester Crown Court to reappear on 26 June.

He is charged with making an unwarranted demand for money from the player with menaces.

Mr Timms spoke only to confirm his name and to acknowledge bail conditions during the short hearing.

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Judge Andrew Gilbart QC upheld a previous ruling by magistrates that the Premier League player could not be named.

As part of his bail conditions, Mr Timms was ordered to report to a police station twice a week and told to have no contact with a prosecution witness.

The Manchester-born goalkeeper is currently without a club, having played for a number of sides since he was 17.

He played with Manchester City's under-19 side and had spells at Altrincham, Atherton LR, Curzon Ashton, Mossley, Shrewsbury Town, Runcorn and Accrington Stanley.

He has also had trials at Norwich City, Bolton Wanderers, Fulham, Oldham and Macclesfield.

He joined Cambridge City in January on non-contract terms but has since left.