Queenslander faces trial for blackmailing McDermott

Sydney, May 24 (UNI) A Queenslander charged of using a sex tape to blackmail and extort money from former Australian Test cricketer Craig McDermott has been committed to stand trial.

Boat detailer Peter Josef Vigan of Oxenford, faced a committal hearing in the Southport Magistrates Court today on charges of extortion.

According to 'The Australian', McDermott was forced to hand over more than 50,000 dollars to stop releasing on internet home movies of him having sex with his wife Ann-Maree.

The threats were allegedly made between December 2005 and December 2006.

Police said a video camera and several home movies were stolen from McDermott's luxury cruiser in late 2003 while it was being detailed at a Gold Coast marina.

After the theft, Vigan allegedly contacted McDermott several times instructing him to leave payments of 5,000 to 10,000 dollars at various Gold Coast shopping centres.

Vigan who was arrested last September in a covert police operation, is on bail and is yet to enter a plea.

UNI