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A Mount Maunganui woman is accused of blackmailing a Tauranga Hospital doctor, saying she would tell TV3 he visited prostitutes and gave them drugs in exchange for sexual favours.
Unemployed Michelle Henderson, 43, allegedly threatened the doctor at Tauranga Hospital while being reassessed on November 16 for continuation on the methadone programme.
Henderson made the threat to ruin the doctor's reputation unless he renewed two prescriptions for controlled drugs, the court was told.
According to police, Henderson admitted making the threats but wanted the doctor to know how it felt to have his life ruined by another person, as he had allegedly done to her.
She appeared in Tauranga District Court yesterday.
Her lawyer, Craig Tuck, told Community Magistrate Heather White there was a prima facie case to answer but entered a not guilty plea on his client's behalf.
The maximum penalty for blackmail is 14 years' imprisonment.
Henderson was remanded on bail and is due to appear in the High Court at Rotorua on March 15 to set a trial date.
- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES