Blackmail case banker 'a nice guy'

Published on Tuesday 2 June 2009 10:15

A BANKER who claims he handed over £10,000 to prevent his wife finding out about his affair with a sauna vice girl was "a pretty nice guy" – according to one of the alleged blackmailers.

Plumber Stephen Dobson, 39, denied that he and his brother, John, 36, saw the bank IT worker as "a soft touch".

Stephen Dobson told the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday that he met the 55-year-old bank worker to "pick up a message" for sauna "masseuse" Cindy – real name Catherine Purcell, 31.

He said he was given an envelope near a branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland in central Edinburgh containing 1100 for her.

The 55-year-old says he was forced at knife-point to drive from Musselburgh to Edinburgh's George Street, take out a personal loan at the Royal Bank and hand over 10,000 to the Dobson brothers.

Yesterday Stephen Dobson said there were no threats. He said Ms Purcell had complained the banker was stalking her, but said he had agreed to give her money – which Stephen Dobson was to collect. When asked about their 17 October meeting he said he thought the man was "a pretty nice guy".

The brothers of William Jamieson Place, Portobello, Edinburgh, deny extortion and breach of the peace.

A verdict is expected today.