'Blackmailers used illicit tape'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7150558.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Blackmailers threatened to release an illicit video made by a County Antrim businessman unless he paid them £50,000, the High Court has heard.

The tape, stolen from the man's car, contained unsavoury footage and was later found on a DVD named The Lady Vanishes, a bail application was told.

It was claimed Paul Braniff, 44, of Windmill View in Ballynahinch, led the gang who targeted the man in May.

Bail was refused on the grounds there was a chance of witness interference.

A Crown lawyer told the court Mr Braniff was arrested after police mounted a surveillance operation at a fast food restaurant's car park on the Shankill Road in Belfast where the businessman was allegedly told to bring the cash.

She claimed five men were involved in the plot, which was linked to the theft of the car, a digital video recorder and tape from the Castlecourt car park in November 2001.

'Threatened'

At that stage the man, known as witness A, paid out £5,000 after copies of the tape were sent to his home and his mother's, the court heard.

Then in May this year, the gang threatened to give the tape to the press unless he gave them £50,000.

The lawyer said witness A tipped off the police before going to the fast food restaurant where a car allegedly carrying Mr Braniff and registered to his home address was spotted.

The businessman, who had negotiated to pay £22,000, passed the cash into another car.

Police then moved in and stopped it as it was leaving and two men inside it were detained, the court was told.

Mr Braniff, who denies blackmail, was arrested minutes later at New Barnsley Gardens in Belfast as he allegedly tried to run off.

Defence counsel Joe Brolly rejected Crown claims his client may interfere with witnesses.

He also stressed there was no suggestion any of the accused were connected to the previous blackmail involving the video tape.