A MAN has been found guilty of trying to blackmail £100,000 from a businessman by threatening his family.

Police carried out a 14-month investigation to catch Philip Brierley after he sent anonymous text messages demanding money from a wealthy Accrington businessman.

His victim, who was friend of Brierley's, received a series of text messages demanding a payment of £100,000. He was also sent threats against him and his family.

He has previously been the victim of two violent robberies and the sender of the messages made reference to the attacks and said further violence would be used.

Brierley, of Kensington Court, Denton, Manchester, was found guilty of blackmail at Burnley Crown by a jury who delivered a unanimous verdict.

The 56-year-old will be sentenced on May 20.

Senior investigating officer, DCI Neil Hunter, from the force major investigation team, said: "The victim was quite shocked that the person who has now been convicted was close to him - more than an associate, he was quite a close friend.

"He is disappointed to say the least that a friend could betray him and attempt to extort money from him.

"This has been a long and difficult enquiry to manage and demonstrates the tenacity of the staff involved in this investigation that led to identifying the person responsible for this offence.

"Throughout the enquiry Brierley continually changed his story on numerous occasions which increased the difficulty of the investigation."