Married man blackmailed with rape video, court told

Jurors at Lewes Crown Court heard allegations that Michael Fry raped and blackmailed a married man

A man filmed himself raping a married man at a flat in Brighton, East Sussex, before threatening to sell the footage online, a court has been told.

Michael Fry, 44, of no fixed abode, is said to have spoken with the married man on a dating app before the pair agreed to meet at about 05:00 BST on 1 April.

It is claimed Mr Fry then drugged and raped the man and used a recording of the incident to blackmail him.

Mr Fry denies two counts of rape, administering a substance with intent, causing the alleged victim to engage in penetrative sexual activity, voyeurism and blackmail.

The alleged victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said the defendant offered him a drink when he arrived at the flat.

He claims he fell unconscious after drinking it and was naked when he came around, at which point the defendant is said to have administered two injections into his arms.

The man said he was unable to move during the sex that followed.

He said he asked Mr Fry to delete the video but was told it would be published online if he did not return the following day.

Pregnant wife

Jennifer Gray, prosecuting, said at Lewes Crown Court on Tuesday: "Mr Fry said he would upload [the video] if he did not come back the next day.

"He said he was now [the alleged victim's] master and he should beg him to do things. He was scared and went back the next day.

"[The alleged victim] is a married man with a pregnant wife. He was, not surprisingly, very scared about this."

On 5 April, the man returned to the flat to ask Mr Fry to delete the video clips again, the court heard.

Ms Gray claims Mr Fry punched, kicked and stamped on the man, resulting in bruising and a fractured nose.

Mr Fry was arrested on 8 April.

He pleaded guilty to assaulting the man on Monday.

The trial continues.