Jury discharged in blackmail trial

The jury trying an unemployed man accused of blackmailing thousands of pounds from his stepfather has been dismissed for legal reasons. Daniel Piller, 40, is accused of swindling £7,500 from Simon Tottman as well as threatening him with a knife between August 2015 and April this year. Pillar, of Homecroft Road, Lewisham denied two counts – one of blackmail and one of assault by beating. He was released on bail ahead of a trial date which is yet to be…