Derry Court: Man returned for trial accused of £50,000 blackmail plot

A man has been returned for trial to Derry Crown Court on a charge of blackmailing a man to the sum of £50,000.

Michael McLaughlin (38) of Circular Road in Derry appeared at a preliminary enquiry at the local Magistrate's Court today.

He is charged with one count of blackmail by making an 'unwarranted demand of £50,000 with menaces' on November 11 2021.

He was also charged with criminal damage to a window on November 9 2021, taking a vehicle and obstructing police on November 11 2021.

It was accepted there was a case to answer and there were no contrary submissions.

McLaughlin said he did not want to call any witnesses or make any statement at this stage.

He was returned for trial to Derry Crown Court on March 21 and released on bail.