Sex tape used to blackmail cricketer

SYDNEY - It was a familiar tale of sex, shame and extortion involving an Australian cricketer, but with a crucial difference.

Instead of being caught on videotape romping with a busty young blonde - in true Shane Warne style - former test bowler Craig McDermott was making love with his wife.

He revealed this week that being blackmailed over the sexy home videos the couple made together was the most stressful and painful experience of his life.

McDermott, 41, now a millionaire Gold Coast property developer, paid about A$40,000 ($45,000) to prevent the blackmailer posting the film on the internet, before finally going to police last week.

The saga began in 2003 when a video camera and several tapes were stolen from McDermott's luxury cruiser while it was undergoing work in a Gold Coast marina.

In January this year, the former fast bowler allegedly received a phone message from a man who claimed to have footage of McDermott and his third wife, Ann-Maree, engaging in intimate activities.

The alleged extortionist - Gold Coast boat detailer Peter Josef Vigan, 36 - appeared in court last weekend.

He faces eight charges and is accused of contacting McDermott eight times over nine months, instructing him to leave payments of A$5000 and A$10,000 at shopping centres in and around the Gold Coast.

After receiving A$25,000, Vigan boasted to McDermott by text message that it was enough for a luxury holiday. A few weeks later McDermott handed over a further A$5000 in exchange for what he thought was the final tape.

But it turned out to be a film of an unidentified man - believed to be Vigan - unwrapping Christmas presents with his wife and children.

McDermott went to the police.

He was fitted with a body wire and sent to meet Vigan at a fast-food restaurant. Police swooped as Vigan was allegedly telling McDermott how to make another payment.

Vigan tried to escape but detectives tackled him to the ground.