Nova Scotia man charged with extortion and fabricating evidence

Nova Scotia RCMP have charged a man from Eel Brook, N.S., with extortion after an investigation that lasted several months.

Andrew Chetwynd, 33, also faces charges of public mischief and fabricating evidence.

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According to police, RCMP began an investigation in March 2017 after a woman approached police, informing them that she had been contacted by someone who was demanding money from her.

She was told by a man that he was in possession of a computer she once owned and that she needed to pay him to recover some photos he had found on the computer, which were child pornography.

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Police investigated and found that no photos had ever existed on the computer and that Chetwynd had attempted to make it look as though they did.

As a result of the RCMP investigation Chetwynd was arrested on Jan. 17.

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He has since been released on conditions, which includes having no contact with the victim.

Chetwynd is scheduled to appear in Yarmouth Provincial Court on Feb. 12.