Monday, July 07, 2008
Player denies football blackmail
A former Manchester City youth player has denied blackmailing a top Premier League footballer.
Goalkeeper Ashley Timms, 22, pleaded not guilty to demanding £15,000 from the unnamed player.
Mr Timms, of Middleton, Greater Manchester, is charged with making an unwarranted demand for money from the player with menaces.
Judge Andrew Gilbart QC at Manchester Crown Court set a trial date for 11 August.
He also upheld a previous ruling not to name the Premier League player.
Mr Timms was granted an extension of his bail and ordered to report to a police station twice a week.
He was also ordered not to have contact with a prosecution witness.
The Manchester-born goalkeeper is currently without a club, having flitted between sides since he was 17.
Goalkeeper Ashley Timms, 22, pleaded not guilty to demanding £15,000 from the unnamed player.
Mr Timms, of Middleton, Greater Manchester, is charged with making an unwarranted demand for money from the player with menaces.
Judge Andrew Gilbart QC at Manchester Crown Court set a trial date for 11 August.
He also upheld a previous ruling not to name the Premier League player.
Mr Timms was granted an extension of his bail and ordered to report to a police station twice a week.
He was also ordered not to have contact with a prosecution witness.
The Manchester-born goalkeeper is currently without a club, having flitted between sides since he was 17.
