A man has been accused of attempting to extort a woman over her alleged relationship with a well-known Queensland public figure. The identities of all three parties involved have been suppressed under a gag order, following the accused male's appearance on Friday in Cairns Magistrates' Court on an extortion with domestic violence charge.
Allegations and Court Proceedings
It is alleged that the accused attempted to extort the woman regarding what he claimed was a relationship with a high-profile man. The suspect had previously been granted bail. Defence barrister Brydie Bilic informed the court that the 'authenticity of the evidence of the relationship was not challenged.'
Ms Bilic argued that her client's original bail terms, established before Friday's hearing, were 'overarching,' as reported by the ABC. 'There are concerns that it is designed to protect,' she told the court. 'There are some matters that go so far as to potentially constitute a gag order.'
Defence Argument and Court Order
Ms Bilic requested that the non-publication order exclude the high-profile person, noting that he is not a witness in the case. She stated that the alleged victim and the high-profile figure neither live together nor reside in the same area. Furthermore, she contended that there was no evidence of easily accessible information linking the two.
'His [the high-profile man] name arises in the factual context of the allegations, but that doesn't make him a party to the proceedings,' she said. However, Magistrate Meoli ordered the suppression of the names of the accused, the woman, and the high-profile person. The suspect's bail was extended, and the matter has been adjourned to a later date.
