Man charged with blackmail after demanding money from Grindr match
Timothy Ruge appeared at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday
By Steve Brown
A man has been charged with blackmail after allegedly demanding money from a Grindr match after threatening to out him.
Timothy Ruge, 34, reportedly threatened to expose the unnamed Grindr use this year and after the threat, he demanded to meet the man at a local train station to hand over the money, 9 News reported.
He is believed to have asked for 1,300 Australian dollars – the equivalent to more than £700 – in exchange for not outing the victim as being gay.
CCTV footages shows Ruge at the Southern Cross train station where he told his victim to meet him.
During the court hearing, Ruge represented himself at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday (May 8) where he was charged with blackmail.
Ruge will return to court with legal representation on July 23.