Man admits supermarket blackmail

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A man has admitted blackmailing two branches of Asda in the West Midlands and demanding £17,000 from them.

John Botwood, 49, of Bilston, pleaded guilty to asking for £2,000 from the supermarket's Tipton branch and £15,000 from the branch in Great Barr.

He faces two further charges of contaminating goods and claiming to contaminate goods but has not yet entered a plea.

He has been remanded in custody until the prosecution decides how to proceed.

Judge Richard Griffith-Jones said Botwood would be remanded until the prosecution decided whether or not to proceed with the remaining charges.

Botwood, of Lees Terrace, admitted blackmailing the Great Barr store during early 2008 and the Tipton site between December 2000 and February 2001.