Ex-lover 'tried to blackmail comic' (From Hampshire Chronicle)
When news happens, text CHRON and your photos or videos to 80360. Or contact us by email & phone.
Ex-lover 'tried to blackmail comic'
2:14pm Monday 1st October 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013
Justin Lee Collins denies harassing a former girlfriend
The former girlfriend of Justin Lee Collins has been accused of trying to blackmail the comedian.
Anna Larke, 38, was asked whether she had threatened to report the former Friday Night Project host to the police if he did not give her £20,000 after they broke up.
Sonia Woodley QC, defending Collins, also 38, said: "You told him 'Give me £20,000 or I'm going to hurt you and I'm going to go to the police'."
Miss Larke, who alleges Collins harassed and assaulted her during their nine-month relationship, replied: "Oh my god, that's absolute lies. I've never said that."
Ms Woodley said Collins texted her back saying: 'I've offered you all sorts of help but I'm not getting involved in blackmail', the jury at St Albans Crown Court heard.
Miss Larke told the court: "If I had just wanted money, I would have gone straight to the press."
The court heard the public relations worker was not in a job at the time.
Collins, of Kew, south west London, denies one charge of harassment by causing her fear of violence.
