A 26-YEAR-old Chafford Hundred man has been kept locked up as he awaits trial for trying to blackmail more than 20 women after he jacked into their computers.

Akash Sondhi, 26, of Hedingham Road, was remanded in custody after Chelmsford magistrates heard of the charges and their serious nature. Plus fears that if he were released, Sondhi might commit further offences or attempt to intimidate witnesses.

Magistrates were told Sondhi had hacked into the computers of 24 women to obtain private sexual images of them and he then attempted to blackmail them.

Sondhi has been committed for trial to Crown Court.