No bail for royal 'blackmail' man

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A man accused of involvement in a plot to blackmail a member of the Royal Family has had a renewed bid to be freed on bail turned down.

Ian Strachan, 30, is charged under section 21 of the Theft Act 1968.

At the Old Bailey, his lawyers applied for him to be granted bail, but Mr Justice Forbes rejected their request.

It is alleged that Mr Strachan, from London, made demands with menaces prior to his arrest on 11 September. The alleged victim cannot be named.

James Lewis QC, on behalf of Mr Strachan, said his client was not guilty and had a defence to the charge.

An earlier application for bail was turned down on 2 November.

Mr Strachan, who is being held Belmarsh prison, was not present in court to hear the judge's decision.

He is due to appear alongside co-accused Sean McGuigan, 40, also from London, at the Old Bailey on 20 December.