The South African woman who accused Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne of sending ‘‘raunchy’’ text messages to her mobile, has been charged with extortion in her own country. Spokeswoman for South African police, Mary Martins-Engel Brecht, confirmed today that a charge of extortion had been laid against the 45-year-old Helen Cohen Alon in response to a complaint made by Gavin Varejes, an associate of the controversial bowler. ‘‘The charges being laid is extortion, the police are investigating one charge of extortion,’’ Martins-Engelbrecht was quoted as saying by the Australian Associated Press. ‘There’s a guy who I believe is some or other associate of Shane Warne - I’m not quite sure what his relation is to Shane Warne - he opened a case of extortion against a 45-year-old woman,’’ she said. A lawyer representing Cohen Alon though said formal charges had been laid over the affair, he would not go into detail. ‘‘Charges have been laid and the police are busy investigating those,’’ lawyer Gary Moonsani said. ‘‘The investigation procedure takes a considerable time, that’s basically the reason. But formal charges have been laid in South Africa.’’ Meanwhile, Moonsani said he and Cohen Alon would come to Australia with ‘‘an incredible story and evidence that go beyond simple text messages’’. However, Moonsani gave scant details of that evidence, but said it could have international consequences for cricket. ‘‘We are talking about activities that revolve around the game (of cricket) and that could affect the game worldwide,’’ he said. ‘‘We need to question Mr Shane Warne’s association with Gavin Varejes very, very carefully indeed, because I believe here-in lies the rub. If this is opened, who knows what could be at stake at this stage. ‘My client has been threatened, her life could be at stake at this stage.’’ Moonsani said the bulk of their evidence was ‘‘physical’’ and described it as of ‘‘a highly sensitive nature’’. Varejes, who supposedly paid Cohen Alon $21,000 in hush money, said he regarded Warne as a good enough friend to protect him by paying the woman. But he also said yesterday he had not paid the South African woman a cent. The scandal that broke last Sunday, kicked off the worst week of Warne’s turbulent life. A 38-year-old Melbourne stripper has since claimed she had an affair with the champion leg-spinner last month.
