Man ‘ashamed’ for helping Roberta Williams in extortion plot against TV producer

A man ordered by Roberta Williams to blackmail a TV producer says he only agreed because he was dating one of his co-accused’s daughters.

An associate of gangland widow Roberta Williams only helped her blackmail a reality TV producer because he was dating one of his co-accused’s daughters.

During a violent three-hour ordeal, James Harrison, 27, helped Williams blackmail Ryan Naumenko who was beaten, threatened and forced to transfer money at Cloakroom Media studios in Collingwood in July 2019.

Harrison, who had only met Mr Naumenko once before and did not have beef with him, told the County Koori Court on Tuesday he only agreed to participate in the extortion plot because he was “dating one of the co-accused’s daughters”.

Harrison didn’t reveal if his ex-girlfriend was Williams’ daughter but four months before the incident he posted a photo with her youngest child Dhakota celebrating her 18th birthday.

“Lil kodes (sic) all grown up,” the caption read.

The court heard Harrison had never been in trouble with the law before but he had been warned by his mother about hanging out with the wrong people.

Harrison, who pleaded guilty to intentionally causing injury and drug possession, told the court he was “ashamed” for his actions and he would consider sending Mr Naumenko an apology letter.

Williams, who is the widow of slain drug lord Carl Williams, enlisted her henchmen Harrison, Jake Sexton and Hassam Al Zwainy to stand over Mr Naumenko after she thought he was scamming her.

Ryan Naumenko after the incident involving Roberta Williams.

She had been working with Mr Naumenko on a reality TV show about her life but became frustrated after he failed to pay her.

Mr Naumenko was ambushed when he turned up to what he thought was a viewing of the show reel at the Collingwood studio.

He was tied to a chair, threatened with a gun, and repeatedly punched in the face.

Williams stood by and barked orders at her posse before the group forced Mr Naumenko to call his family and have them transfer money to Cloakroom Media’s bank account.

Roberta Williams arrives at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court. Picture: AAP

Mr Naumenko was also made to sign a document transferring ownership of his mother’s car, before he was dumped at his home and told not to call police.

Williams pleaded guilty to blackmail, and recklessly and intentionally causing injury but was spared jail and ordered to complete a two-year community correction order.

Sexton, 27, pleaded guilty to intentionally causing injury, while Al Zwainy, 26, pleaded guilty to recklessly causing injury.

Both were handed CCOs.

Harrison will return to court on Wednesday for sentence.