Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
‘Blackmailer’s13 £700 demand after sending lover’s pics to hubby..& son’
Court told she begged him to stop
A MAN allegedly sent sexual photos of a married woman to her husband and teenage son before demanding £700 to prevent further disclosure, a court heard yesterday.
Frederick Boyd is accused of blackmailing her after they met online and intimate images were sent.
The 25-year-old, of Mayo Place in Belfast, denies menacing the wife and mother for cash, claiming he was told she was ready to leave her family for him.
He was granted bail but banned from contacting the woman or entering her home town. Boyd appeared before Belfast Magistrates Court after being arrested for offences allegedly committed on Tuesday.
He faces charges of making an unwarranted demand for money from the woman and disclosing a private sexual photograph or film with intent to cause her distress.
Opposing his release, a detective constable claimed Boyd sent intimate photos to her husband, 16-year-old son and some of her friends.
He said: “He was asked to desist but demanded £700 to do so.”
Although police have seized his phone, he has yet to provide the code for them to access the device.
The detective added: “We don’t know where the photographs are stored.”
District Judge Fiona Bagnall was told the accused and the woman came into contact through a “well-known website” last year.
Defence counsel Declan Quinn said Boyd claims they met once at a hotel and maintained contact online. He said: “She was indicating to him her intention to leave her husband and family and begin a relationship with this man.
“He indicates there are a number of sexual images she sent to him. She was telling him to hold on until the divorce went through.”
Mr Quinn said Boyd “reacted” after receiving a photo of the woman and a female friend out with another man.
The barrister added: “He sent images he already had to her husband and her 16-year-old son. She then contacts him and pleads with him not to do this, not to disclose any further.”
Disputing the blackmail allegations, Mr Quinn argued Boyd only asked her to pay back £60 owed from a previous encounter.
He said: “The defence case is that the complainant has made a mountain out of a molehill, perhaps for some understandable reasons to deflect attention from her.”
He was ordered to appear back in court in March.
DEFENCE BARRISTER YETERDAY