A man faces charges of blackmailing a woman and threatening her with a knife. 

Irandeep Malli, 34, of Adcock Drive in Sprowston, is accused of demanding money from the woman with menaces between February 15 and 18 this year. 

He is also accused of threatening a person with an offensive weapon following an incident involving the same woman during the same period.  

Appearing at Norwich Magistrates’ Court he spoke only to confirm his name, age and address.

Magistrates committed the case to Norwich Crown Court after being told the offence of blackmail was so serious it could only be heard at the higher court.  

The maximum sentence for blackmail is 14 years in prison, however the average sentence for those sentenced to immediate custody is less than three years.

Malli was given unconditional bail until a hearing on December 4.

He also faces two further offences of assault and actual bodily harm against a man, said to have occurred on February 17.