Trio accused of Coleen Rooney blackmail plot

Three people have appeared in court in Britain accused of trying to blackmail Coleen Rooney after she lost her mobile phone.

Lee Platt, 28, Jennifer Green, 25, and Steven Malcolm, 42, are charged with blackmail and handling stolen goods.

All three appeared at Manchester Magistrates’ Court today for a brief hearing where they were jointly charged with both offences. No pleas were entered.

Mrs Rooney and her Manchester United and England husband Wayne were subject to a demand of £5,000 (€5,685) with menaces.

It is understood that Mrs Rooney accidentally left her camera at the Manchester Evening News Arena in Manchester when the couple attended a concert by US band Black Eyed Peas in May last year.

Platt, from Heaton Park Road, Blackley, Manchester, appeared in court from custody.

Green, from the same address in Heaton Park Road, and Malcolm, from Silkin Court, Manchester, appeared on bail.

Jenny Baines, prosecuting, told magistrates a charge of blackmail could only be dealt with by a Crown Court and asked the bench to send the case to the upper court.

Green and Malcolm were given unconditional bail and Platt was remanded back into custody, with all three to appear at Manchester Crown Court on July 4.