Diaz wins blackmail case

Cameron Diaz’s topless photographer has been convicted for plotting to blackmail the actress for $1.7 million.

John Rutter was accused of faking Diaz’s signature and planning to publish the pictures if she did not buy them back.

A Los Angeles jury deliberated for around four hours before finding Rutter guilty of attempted grand theft, forgery and perjury. He now faces up to five years in prison.

Defence lawyer Mark Werksman said: "This was an epic battle between a rich and famous celebrity and a hard-working photographer. She brought some very powerful and enormous interests to bear against him."

He added: "John is devastated by this. This is the blackest day of his life and the bleakest."

David Walgren, Diaz’s representative, commented: "We don't tolerate forgers and criminals who seek to take advantage of celebrities or anyone else. Had the victim been anyone other than Cameron Diaz, he would have been prosecuted in the same courts, in the same manner and with the same diligence."