Lift in the rain that cost pounds 42,900
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A married businessman was driven "to the brink of suicide" by a female blackmailer after he offered her a lift in his Mercedes in the rain and became embroiled in a sexual affair, the Old Bailey was told yesterday. After their brief relationship ended, she drained his assets and resources, demanding sums of between pounds 500 and pounds 30,000 over 10 years in return for not telling his wife and colleagues of the affair, the prosecution alleged. When his wife overheard a telephone conversation in which demands for cash were made, he took a drug overdose and left suicide notes, it was claimed. The attempt failed and "Mr X finally had the courage" to go to the police, Sally Bennett Jenkins for the prosecution said. She said the accused had demanded a total of pounds 42,900.
But Beverley Jackson, 39, of north London, claimed that the businessman, now 71, was her "sugar daddy" and had willingly given her money over the years. She denies six charges of blackmail. The case continues.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments