A woman denied blackmailing the elder brother of Liverpool and England footballer Daniel Sturridge when she appeared in court today.

Magdelena Spratek is alleged to have demanded £15,000 “with menaces” from Leon Sturridge on October 24 last year.

The 29-year-old Liverpool fan, of Longshaw Road, Park Wood, Maidstone, will stand trial at Maidstone Crown Court in the week beginning September 11.

Chetna Patel, defending, said Leon Sturridge would be required to give evidence in the case as there would be questions about their relationship.

Judge David Griffith-Jones QC rejected an application by prosecutor Don Ramble for an order granting anonymity to the alleged victim.

“Leon Sturridge is the brother of Daniel Sturridge the professional footballer,” said Mr Ramble.

He applied for the order under Section 46 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 on the basis a victim could be caused embarrassment by such allegations and his evidence could be diminished.

He conceded he did not have a statement available from Mr Sturridge. The application was opposed by Miss Patel.

The judge ruled: “It seems to me this is not a case where stringent requirements under Section 46 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act are established.

“While I can well understand why a reporting restriction should be sought generally to avoid a degree of embarrassment, there is no evidence before me to suggest publication identifying Mr Sturridge would be liable to diminish the evidence or cooperation of the complainant in any way.”

Judge Griffith-Jones stressed: “If the prosecution are going to make applications of this sort they really ought to give them careful consideration and prepare such applications properly, and present evidence calculated to satisfy the evidential requirements of the criteria laid down by relevant legislation for making such orders.

“I have absolutely no way of knowing if whether such steps had been taken the evidence would be forthcoming. If they would a serious disservice has been done to the complainant.

“I can only proceed on the basis of the evidence presented to me. Here, there is none.”

Spratek’s bail was continued on condition of non-contact with prosecution witnesses.