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Pc denies blackmailing offenders Pc denies blackmailing offenders
(about 1 hour later)
A police officer tried to blackmail sex offenders and a suspected criminal after getting their details from a computer, the Old Bailey has heard.A police officer tried to blackmail sex offenders and a suspected criminal after getting their details from a computer, the Old Bailey has heard.
Pc Amerdeep Johal is accused of sending menacing letters to 12 people in east London, for which he hoped to make £419,000 in July last year.Pc Amerdeep Johal is accused of sending menacing letters to 12 people in east London, for which he hoped to make £419,000 in July last year.
Mr Johal worked at West End Central police station on the Met Police's criminal intelligence system Crimint.Mr Johal worked at West End Central police station on the Met Police's criminal intelligence system Crimint.
He denies 12 counts of blackmail and one of misconduct in public office.He denies 12 counts of blackmail and one of misconduct in public office.
This case is about the gross abuse to public office by a corrupt and dishonest police officer for financial gain David Markham, prosecutingThis case is about the gross abuse to public office by a corrupt and dishonest police officer for financial gain David Markham, prosecuting
David Markham, prosecuting, said Mr Johal, 29, from Ilford, east London, also sent out text messages to other suspected criminals from the computer offering to help them commit or conceal crime.David Markham, prosecuting, said Mr Johal, 29, from Ilford, east London, also sent out text messages to other suspected criminals from the computer offering to help them commit or conceal crime.
In some messages, he posed as a customs officer offering to sell drugs. In another text he offered diamonds for sale, Mr Markham said. In some messages, he posed as a customs officer offering to sell drugs. In another message he offered diamonds for sale, Mr Markham said.
"He had a backroom job, to assist frontline officers by making checks on Crimint," said Mr Markham."He had a backroom job, to assist frontline officers by making checks on Crimint," said Mr Markham.
"This case is about the gross abuse to public office by a corrupt and dishonest police officer for financial gain.""This case is about the gross abuse to public office by a corrupt and dishonest police officer for financial gain."
He said Mr Johal admitted involvement but claimed to have been working under duress from a convicted criminal. He said Mr Johal admitted involvement but claimed to have been working under duress from a convicted criminal, which was rejected by the court.
Mobile number
Mr Markham said Mr Johal targeted people in the London Borough of Redbridge where he lived.Mr Markham said Mr Johal targeted people in the London Borough of Redbridge where he lived.
Some victims went to police and an audit showed he had made 1,258 computer searches in the area during three months, the court was told. 'Helping hand'
He was also traced from a mobile number he had supplied to his victims to get in touch with him. The court was told some victims went to police and an audit showed he had made 1,258 computer searches in the area during three months.
The court heard Mr Johal targeted those who were vulnerable because they were on the sex offenders' register, or who appeared to have money. He was also traced from a mobile number he had given to his victims to get in touch with him.
The court heard Mr Johal targeted those who were vulnerable because they were on the sex offenders' register, or appeared to have money.
The court heard the 10 sex offenders and one suspected sex offender were told Mr Johal had photographs taken outside their homes.
He also got hold of police records and told them he was offering the "hand of help" in return for the money.
Letters sent out were identical, except amounts which were £29,000 or £30,000.
The 12th victim was a suspected money launderer, who was told he had a lovely family in an £89,000 demand, the court heard.
The trial was adjourned until Tuesday.The trial was adjourned until Tuesday.