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Justin Lee Collins 'blackmailed' by lover Justin Lee Collins 'blackmailed' by lover
(35 minutes later)
The girlfriend of Justin Lee Collins blackmailed the TV presenter in an attempt to get £20,000, a court heard.The girlfriend of Justin Lee Collins blackmailed the TV presenter in an attempt to get £20,000, a court heard.
Anna Larke, 38, allegedly told the former Friday Night Project host that she would "go to the police" and "hurt" him if she did not get the money.Anna Larke, 38, allegedly told the former Friday Night Project host that she would "go to the police" and "hurt" him if she did not get the money.
Ms Larke described the claim, made by Mr Collins' defence counsel, as "absolute lies".Ms Larke described the claim, made by Mr Collins' defence counsel, as "absolute lies".
Mr Collins, also 38, of Kew, south-west London, denies harassment, causing fear of violence at St Albans Crown Court.Mr Collins, also 38, of Kew, south-west London, denies harassment, causing fear of violence at St Albans Crown Court.
Sonia Woodley QC, defending Mr Collins, said: "You told him 'Give me £20,000 or I'm going to hurt you and I'm going to go to the police."
Ms Larke, who had a nine-month relationship with Mr Collins, denied the claim.
She said: "Oh my God, that's absolute lies. I've never said that."
Ms Woodley said Mr Collins sent Ms Larke a text message that said: "I've offered you all sorts of help, but I'm not getting involved in blackmail."
Ms Larke, a public relations worker who was unemployed at the time of the alleged offences, said: "If I had just wanted money I would have gone straight to the press."