TARMAC workers threatened to dig up a doctor's driveway after she refused to pay them £2,400 for spraying on a sealant, the High Court in Belfast was told yesterday.
The doctor was so frightened of the men that she gave them a cheque for £900, a Crown lawyer alleged.
He was objecting to a bail application by three Belfast men, described by their lawyer as members of the travelling community, who are accused of deception and intimidation.
They are Mr Michael Doherty (29), of Glen Road caravan site, Mr Edward Doherty (26) and Mr Frank Doherty (34), both of Duncairn Gardens.
The Crown lawyer said a man called at the doctor's home in Belfast's Upper Malone area and said he would spray a special sealant to prevent weeds growing through her driveway which he claimed to have laid the previously year.
The work would cost nothing, the man was alleged to have told the doctor.
The next day the doctor returned home to find four men spraying a substance on the drive. A short time later £2,400 was demanded.
"When she declined to pay, the men threatened to dig up her driveway," said the lawyer.
"The doctor reluctantly wrote out a cheque for £900 as she was frightened by these men."
The lawyer said the men were later arrested and the cheque recovered.
"Inquiries are continuing regarding similar incidents in north Down and greater Belfast," he said.
Mr Justice Girvan, saying he was not satisfied the men would turn up for their trial, refused the applications.