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Footballer jailed over blackmail Footballer jailed over blackmail
(20 minutes later)
A former Manchester City youth team goalkeeper has been jailed for 20 months for blackmailing a Premier League footballer over sexual images.A former Manchester City youth team goalkeeper has been jailed for 20 months for blackmailing a Premier League footballer over sexual images.
Goalkeeper Ashley Timms, 22, of Middleton, Greater Manchester, admitted making unwarranted demands with menaces on the unnamed player.Goalkeeper Ashley Timms, 22, of Middleton, Greater Manchester, admitted making unwarranted demands with menaces on the unnamed player.
Manchester Crown Court heard the blackmail took place between March and April this year.Manchester Crown Court heard the blackmail took place between March and April this year.
Timms demanded £15,000, threatening to publish the images if he was not paid.Timms demanded £15,000, threatening to publish the images if he was not paid.
Text messages Manchester Crown Court heard how the blackmail victim, known only as Witness A, received a number of threats over the sexual images. The abuse of your friendship for simple greed is an aggravating feature Judge Andrew Gilbart
Manchester Crown Court heard how the blackmail victim, known only as Witness A, received a number of threats over the sexual images.
David Friesner, prosecuting, said there was a "long protracted series of text messages that culminated in the offence".David Friesner, prosecuting, said there was a "long protracted series of text messages that culminated in the offence".
Passing sentence, Judge Andrew Gilbart said: "Blackmail always calls for a custodial sentence.
"The abuse of your friendship for simple greed is an aggravating feature.
"This was a calculated attempt to extract money for your own benefit.
"It is depressing that in a society where there is supposed to be more sexual freedom, some popular newspapers and magazines continue to dress their interest in it as some form of moral indignation when what they are actually doing is making money from their readers' interest in sex and salacious gossip."
Timms played with Manchester City's under-19 side and had spells at Shrewsbury Town and Accrington Stanley as well as a number of non-league clubs.Timms played with Manchester City's under-19 side and had spells at Shrewsbury Town and Accrington Stanley as well as a number of non-league clubs.
He has also had trials at Norwich City, Bolton Wanderers, Fulham, Oldham and Macclesfield. He has also had trials at Norwich City, Bolton Wanderers, Fulham, Oldham Athletic and Macclesfield Town.
He joined Cambridge City in January on non-contract terms but has since left. He joined non-league Cambridge City in January on non-contract terms but has since left.