Blackmailer jailed over threats to Pakistan oil giant

Nusrat Hussain, 38, of Blackburn, Lancashire, told Diwan Petroleum he would use his alleged influences with the president and prime minister of Pakistan if it did not comply.

In reality he had no connections with either Asif Ali Zardari or Yousaf Raza Gillani and the company later sent a representative to the UK who passed on its findings to Lancashire Constabulary.

The Pakistani-born defendant, who has lived in Blackburn for the past 12 years, was set to go on trial for blackmail at Preston Crown Court in June but changed his plea to guilty ahead of the hearing. Yesterday he was sentenced to 18 months.

Judge Stuart Baker said none of the threats were, or likely to be, carried out but "significant punishment" was needed for the "ugly and sinister" offence of blackmail.

Hussain made the series of mobile phone calls and text messages from Britain between February 2 and May 11 last year.

Kevin Donnelly, prosecuting, said: "He suggested the group he represented had contacts with the upper echelons of Pakistani society.

"In later conversations he said he spoke on behalf of the prime minister and the president of the country."

The calls to an employee of Diwan became more persistent and explicit, he said.

"He said he and his associates would have no option but to use their significant influence against Diwan and ultimately that would result in the company being driven into liquidation," Mr Donnelly said.

"He later indicated there would be a bail-out package but it would cost one billion Pakistani rupees."

He told another Diwan representative: "If you are not trusting me then you are not trusting Mr Zardari. They are very annoyed, you may be in big trouble."

Diwan made its own internal inquiries which ascertained there was no substance to the threats and informed detectives in Lancashire.

Hussain, of Worston Place, was arrested and accepted he was the person who had made contact with Diwan in the name of Abdullah Rahman.

He said he had been doing so on behalf of two men he named – one a childhood friend who owed him 2,500. The friend suggested he take part in the plot which would enable the money to be paid back.

Ahmed Nadim, defending, said that no one's safety had been threatened or jeopardised from the actions of his client.