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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." |