Thankfully, those involved are now facing trial…
Our skipper Steven Gerrard was the target of a blackmail plot after he helped to break up a fight in the street, the Mirror claims.
Following his testimonial in August 2013 against Olympiakos, Gerrard and friends partied in Liverpool, but a row with another group spilled out onto the street.
Gerrard acted as mediator, but began to receive direct threats and demands from Paul Lloyd, a man involved in the argument.
Lloyd’s threats were based on CCTV footage he obtained through illegal means. Police officer Helen Jones flashed her warrant card at the Bank that held the CCTV footage, acquiring the tape, which then ended up in the hands of Lloyd and newspapers.
The blackmail charge against Jones was dropped, but she admitted misconduct, although she claimed that she took the tape out of concern for someone she believed to have been assaulted by a well-known individual.
No charges were ever brought against Gerrard, and Jones’ trial continues at Preston Crown Court, to decided whether the police officer took the tape for ‘criminal purposes’.