Four people are to stand trial in relation to an alleged blackmail plot, in which £27,000 was paid out, beginning with an initial “fee” to secure the release of a lorry held at docks, but followed by more demands for cash.

The accused are Paul Arthur Maye (56) from Sallys Wood and Patrick Thomas McDonagh (30) of Tummery Road, both Irvinestown; along with Christopher Francis McGovern (42) and his partner Sandra Morrison (51) both of Trasna Way, Lisnaskea.

Maye faces the greater number charges among the accused, involving four counts of blackmail and two of fraud by false representation.

It is alleged on September 27, 2017, he dishonestly told the male victim a loan of £5,000 was required to release a lorry from harbour docks- the area of which was not disclosed - and made an unwarranted demand for money by way of blackmail.

Then between October 1 and November 30, 2017 Maye is charged with two further counts of making unwarranted demands – one for £4,500 and the other for £3,500.

McDonagh and Maye are jointly accused of false representation by contending £13,000 would be returned to the victim on payment of £14,000, and made a further unwarranted demand for cash, on dates between December 15, 2017 and January 3, 2018.

Finally, McGovern and Morrison are jointly accused of a single count of blackmailing the victim into handing over £5,000 on September 27, 2017.

All four appeared by video-link from their respective solicitors' offices at Dungannon Crown Court, each pleading not guilty.

Judge Brian Sherrard QC remanded the accused on continuing bail and ruled a trial date – likely to be in 2022 - will be fixed next month.