LEGAL clerk Imtiaz Adam is facing jail and a career in ruins after he was convicted of forgery and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Judge Edward Slinger told Adam at Preston Crown Court that he had been found guilty on 'compelling evidence' and that he was likely to face an immediate custodial sentence when he comes back before the court in four weeks time.

Adam, 28, of Preston New Road, Blackburn, who was a legal clerk at the time of the offence, his brother Asif, 24, also of Preston New Road and Sarfraz Khan, 21, of Nottingham Street, Blackburn, had all denied committing an act intending to pervert the cause of justice, but were found guilty by a unanimous jury after a two-and-a-half hour deliberation following the two-week trial.

Khan was also found guilty on one count of intimidation and cleared of another. Imtiaz Adam was also found guilty of forgery.

Earlier in the trial, Tony Cross, prosecuting, said that in April last year Khan, a trainee solicitor, had slapped his pregnant girlfriend, Roxanne Clayton, 17, across the face. The girl, who was nine months pregnant at the time, complained to the police and Khan pleaded guilty to the assault.

However, two days after he was interviewed by police, Khan visited Miss Clayton at the YWCA in Blackburn, and said he would break her legs if she did not withdraw her complaints.

The court heard she was in considerable fear and, because of the threats, she went with him to Imtiaz Adam's place of work, Parker and Pickles, in Blackburn. The two were shown into Adam's office and after about five minutes Adam asked her her name and to sign a form.

Mr Cross said the blank document was later filled out with false details saying she wanted to retract her complaint to the police.

The prosecution against Khan was then adjourned for the Crown Prosecution Service to consider whether to continue with the case.

The court heard that Khan then continued to intimidate Miss Clayton.

Imtiaz Adam's brother Asif, became involved after giving Miss Clayton and her friend a lift home from a nightclub, when he said he was a good friend of Imtiaz Adam. He told Miss Clayton she should drop the charges and she agreed to do so in exchange for money.

All three men will return to Preston Crown Court on October 19 for sentence. Imtiaz and Asif Adam were released until that date on unconditional bail. Sarfraz Khan was remanded in custody.