Man 'shocked' by extortion claim

Published on Monday 1 June 2009 19:22

A MAN accused of extorting £10,000 from a bank worker told a jury yesterday he had been "shocked" by the allegation.

Stephen Dobson, 39, of Portobello, Edinburgh, and his brother, John, 36, deny blackmailing the man over his relationship with a prostitute.

Stephen Dobson told the High Court in Edinburgh that he, too, had gone out with Catherine Purcell, 31, who had worked in Carol's Sauna in Easter Road. She had told him about the 55-year-old man and claimed he was stalking her and would not leave her alone.

On 17 October, Dobson said, Ms Purcell had asked him to meet the man to "pick up a message for her… 1,000". Reminded of the man's evidence that a knife had been held to his face and that he and his family had been threatened if he did not hand over 10,000, Dobson said: "It's not true at all. I was shocked when I heard what he said."

Dobson added: "I said he was to keep away from her (Ms Purcell), and that was why I was meeting him. She was sick to death of him pestering her."

His brother did not give evidence. Verdicts are expected today.