A MAN accused of helping blackmail a Hampshire businessman by posing as a Daily Echo reporter has claimed he is a victim of mistaken identity.

Karl Bate told jurors he had played no part in the plot to gain £4,000 through threats about allegations of paedophilia and sexual relationships with young men.

He said he had no idea a friend had given his name and mobile phone number to the alleged extortion target, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

Bate, 30, of Hanns Way, E a s t l e i g h , a d m i t t e d going to the victim's house with co-defendant Paul Tyler, 39, of W o o d l e y Close, Romsey.

But he said it had only been on one occasion in April 2006, when Tyler stopped off at the address as they travelled to a pub.

Both the victim and a neighbour subsequently picked him out at an identity parade as a man who had demanded cash of the businessman on a separate date.

Bate yesterday told Portsmouth Crown Court he was definitely not the man they had seen that day.

Earlier, co-defendant Nicholas Hellyer, 24, of Elm Grove, Eastleigh, told the court he had visited the victim's house twice.

On the first occasion he said he had stayed by the car while Bate spoke to the businessman, and on the second time he had been asked by Tyler to drop something off and pick up a package for him.

He took a carrier bag, which the prosecution says contained two discs and a mobile phone, and in return was given an envelope by the victim containing £2,000.

Hellyer said he hadn't questioned the request, or looked inside either packages because he was scared of upsetting Tyler.

Tyler, Bate and Hellyer each deny one charge of blackmail.

Proceeding