Community work for man who blackmailed his lawyer

Currie allegedly threatened to disclose information about his lawyer, including that he was in a relationship with a prostitute. Photo / CityLife South

An Auckland man sentenced to 350 hours' community work for blackmailing his lawyer says he is glad it is all over.

Paul Desmond Currie, 45, was convicted of one charge of blackmail after he demanded $350,000 to keep quiet about allegations his former lawyer was in a relationship with a prostitute and used methamphetamine.

Currie tried to extort the cash from the lawyer when he lost $200,000 in a divorce settlement.

Speaking outside the court, Currie said the case had taken over the past four years of his life.

"I'm relieved as at least now I can try to get on with my life," he said.

In the High Court at Auckland yesterday, Justice Graham Lang said he did not want to sentence Currie to home detention as he expected he would sit inside his home "stewing over past events".

Instead he chose a sentence of 350 hours' community work and 12 months' supervision.

"The seriousness of your conduct could warrant imprisonment. I consider the threat to expose your former lawyer's drug activity was particularly malicious, whether true or otherwise.

"Your involvement with your former lawyer over the past four years would have been a constant thorn in his side.

"A sentence of community work gives you the greatest opportunity to put this matter behind you and get on with your life."

Currie was also ordered not to associate with his former lawyer, whose identity is suppressed.

The judge said Currie was at a low ebb after his marriage breakup and had also been declared bankrupt.

He became obsessed that the lawyer had let him down. Even the advocate hired to help him with his case against the lawyer had said he was "an emotional shipwreck".

- NZPA