A 50-year-old man has appeared in court to face a blackmail charge relating to a Nazi wartime heirloom.
Derick Clifford Smith, of Tuscan Road, Sunderland, appeared briefly at Newcastle Crown Court for pre-trial review involving an alleged attempt to blackmail a woman out of a £2m chalice made for Nazi top brass Herman Goering.
Mr Smith had previously appeared before Sunderland Magistrates on June 23 when the case was adjourned to Newcastle Crown Court.
Yesterday's hearing was adjourned for a plea and directions hearing on September 26.
Mr Smith was given conditional bail.
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