A 52-year-old Liskeard man has been sent in custody to the Crown Court in Truro following his arrest on Tuesday in connection with an alleged attempt to get £35,000 from a local businessman.

Michael Randle of Barras Cross, Liskeard, appeared before magistrates in Liskeard on Wednesday charged with making a demand for £35,000 from Richard Bateman on March 3 by threatening to kidnap a member of his family.

Mr Bateman, who started his career at 17, has been in the financial services industry for more than 40 years.

He runs Bateman Financial Management Ltd located on The Parade in Liskeard and has been a member of the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table, an organisation that represents the top advisers in the world, for 30 years.

Randle was remanded in custody to appear before Truro Crown Court on March 20.