Man on blackmail charges

A 47-year-old man has been charged in connection with an alleged north Belfast loyalist extortion racket.

Samuel Blair, a labourer, of no fixed address, was accused on Tuesday of blackmail, terrorist fundraising and membership of the Ulster Defence Association.

He was arrested in north Belfast on Monday in what is believed to be part of a police investigation into alleged extortion in the building trade.

The blackmail charge related to an allegation he had made an unwarranted demand for £2,000 with menaces from a police officer, who he believed at the time to be a businessman.

The terrorist fundraising charge related to an alleged demand for the money which would be made available for terrorism.

All offences were alleged to have taken place between 28 May and 2 June this year.

A detective told Belfast Magistrates' Court that when Mr Blair answered "no reply" when charged.

He was remanded in custody to appear again by video link on 1 July.