An Australian court has heard that a man accused of trying to blackmail Russell Crowe over a video thought the actor deserved to be exposed.

Philip Antony Cropper and Malcolm Brian Mercer, both 38, deny trying to extort money from Crowe in exchange for destroying a security video.

He's started that much trouble, headbutting people and bashing people

Defendant's alleged comments about Crowe

The tape taken in 1999 reportedly shows the actor fighting with a man and arguing with a woman outside a nightclub in Coffs Harbor, a resort town 280 miles north of Sydney.

The pair could face a maximum 10-year sentence if convicted.

The trial at a Coffs Harbor district court heard evidence from a bar-owner and friend of Crowe's who said he had been approached by Mr Mercer.

Martin Phillips said Mr Mercer told him he had CCTV footage a current affairs television show would want to air.

'Big time'

"I reckon they would pay 50 grand (A$50,000 - �19,000)," Mr Phillips said Mr Mercer told him.

"This is Russell Crowe, he is big time you know. If the Yanks got onto this, who knows what they're worth."

Crowe has been in gong-laden films

Mr Phillips said Mr Mercer tried to justify his plans by saying that Crowe had "played up before... he's started that much trouble, headbutting people and bashing people".

Mr Mercer and Mr Cropper later demanded A$200,000 (�76,200) from Crowe in return for getting rid of the tape, the prosecution contended.

Crowe, not present at the trial and understood to be filming in Mexico, owns a cattle ranch near Coffs Harbor.

Defence lawyers said they wish to summon Crowe, who has starred in films such as LA Confidential, Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind, to give evidence at the trial.

The trial continues.