A man accused of involvement in a £25,000stg extortion plot yesterday said he was “definitely not” part of any criminal enterprise.
At Belfast Crown Court, John Gerard Joseph Stitt (34), said he was never involved with blackmailers. “I never knew or associated with any of the gang or had anything to do with any of them,” he said. Mr Stitt, Laburnum Park in Dunmurry, was arrested on July 24th last year. He denies aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring blackmail on dates between June 3rd and July 24th. Also arrested at the time was Michael Walsh (30), Moira Court in Belfast, he is in custody awaiting sentence after pleading guilty to blackmail.
The trial continues.