Sex video blackmailer jailed

2008-09-05 15:35

London - A former Manchester City youth goalkeeper was jailed for 20 months on Friday for blackmailing a Premier League player by threatening to sell a sex video.

Ashley Timms demanded 15 000 pounds between March and April from the international player, who was not named for legal reasons at Manchester Crown Court.

"It has really made me feel I can't trust anyone.

"I feel quite insecure and if I meet anyone now, I constantly feel they're after my money," the player said in a statement to the court.

Timms used a cellphone to video the player having sex with a 19-year-old woman at the player's home last September.

Timms, whose friendship with the player had waned as his own career faltered, pestered him for cash to use as a deposit on a house in return for selling him the video.

"The abuse of your friendship for simple greed is an aggravating feature," Judge Andrew Gilbart told the court. "This was a calculated attempt to extract money for your own benefit."

Timms said he destroyed the video footage, which was never recovered.

- SAPA