Player denies football blackmail

A former Manchester City youth player has denied blackmailing a top Premier League footballer.

Goalkeeper Ashley Timms, 22, pleaded not guilty to demanding £15,000 from the unnamed player.

Mr Timms, of Middleton, Greater Manchester, is charged with making an unwarranted demand for money from the player with menaces.

Judge Andrew Gilbart QC at Manchester Crown Court set a trial date for 11 August.

No club

He also upheld a previous ruling not to name the Premier League player.

Mr Timms was granted an extension of his bail and ordered to report to a police station twice a week.

He was also ordered not to have contact with a prosecution witness.

The Manchester-born goalkeeper is currently without a club, having flitted between sides since he was 17.

He played with Manchester City's under-19 side and had spells at Altrincham, Atherton LR, Curzon Ashton, Mossley, Shrewsbury Town, Runcorn and Accrington Stanley.

He has also had trials at Norwich City, Bolton Wanderers, Fulham, Oldham and Macclesfield.

He joined Cambridge City in January on non-contract terms but has since left.