22/05/2003

Man charged with extortion

A man has appeared before Belfast Magistrates Court today charged with extorting money on behalf of loyalist paramilitaries.

Brian Gould, 35, from Pine Way, denied the charges read out to him after he was accused of receiving protection money from a Chinese restaurant owner on behalf of a paramilitary group, believed to be the UVF.

Mr Gould was charged with demanding £480 with menaces and with inviting a person to make £480 available for terrorist purposes.

He was remanded in custody until June 19.

Two other men were remanded in custody on Monday on a charge of extorting £10,000 from the same businessman.

(MB)

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