TWO men and a woman accused of being involved in blackmailing an individual in England over a two-year period have had all charges against them withdrawn, pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).

However, it is understood that the police investigation into the allegations is still ongoing and the matter could be brought back before the court once it has been completed.

Paul Maye (54), of Sally’s Wood, Irvinestown, Christopher Francis McGovern (39), of Trasna Way, Lisnaskea, and Sandra Morrison (49), of Main Street, Lisnaskea, had been jointly charged with blackmailing an individual between September 1, 2015 and October 2, 2017.

McGovern and Morrison were also facing a further charge relating to alleged money laundering.

Meanwhile, Morrison was further charged with dishonestly causing a quantity of electricity to be diverted at her address in Lisnaskea on October 2, 2017.

But at Fermanagh Magistrates Court on Monday, a prosecutor confirmed that the charges against all three defendants were to be withdrawn to proceed by way of a report.

It is understood that this course of action has been taken to allow time for the PSNI investigation into this complex case to be completed.

The PPS cannot make a direction on a file until the police have concluded their investigation and handed a full file over to the prosecution.

Once the full file has been received, it is understood the PPS will assess the evidence to decide whether the matter should proceed to trial.