An alleged blackmail victim’s life was made a “living hell”, a court has heard.

Barrie Lee, 30, has gone on trial at Carlisle Crown Court where he he has denied charges of blackmail and assault by beating following alleged incidents on June 10.

Lee also denies two counts of theft and putting a person in fear of violence by harassment – all between April 30 and June 10.

His trial got underway yesterday when a jury heard the charges all related to the same male complainant.

Prosecutor Robert Golinski said police had been contacted by an ambulance crew which treated the man for injuries. It was claimed Lee inflicted these by grabbing him by the neck and pushing him into a table.

“The defendant, Barrie Lee, was heard making threats to beat him up if he didn’t give him money,” said Mr Golinski.

It was alleged this formed part of criminal conduct which had occurred over several weeks.

“The bullying and intimidation involved threats of violence accompanied by demands for money and the defendant, the prosecution says, would make him hand over his benefits and, on occasions, his medication,” Mr Golinski said.

“We say that, together, that activity amounts to blackmail, assault, harassment and theft.”

Tearfully, the man told an officer: “He has made my life such a living hell that I don’t really care any more. I can’t take it. I am not strong enough.

“It is just getting worse because the amounts (of money) he is taking just seem to go up. I thought he would actually kill me.

“He has got a hammer. He threatens me with the hammer. I just feel he has destroyed my life.”

But jurors heard Lee, of Gable Avenue, Cockermouth, denied all of the allegations.

Lee told police the man actually owed him money. He stated he was not responsible for any assault and claimed the alleged victim was a “compulsive liar”.

The trial continues.