Blackburn man admits £8m blackmail attempt
A man from Lancashire has admitted trying to blackmail a Pakistani oil and gas giant out of nearly £8m.
Nusrat Hussain, 38, threatened to use his alleged influence with senior figures in the Pakistan government to drive Dewan Petroleum out of business.
He said he would put the firm out of business if it did not pay one billion Pakistani rupees, Preston Crown Court heard. No money was handed over.
Hussain, of Blackburn, was due to go on trial but changed his plea to guilty.
The driving instructor admitted making a series of unwarranted demands for money with menaces between 2 February and 11 May 2009.
His barrister, Ahmed Nadim, said his client was "a man of previous good character with a timid and fragile personality".
Judge Stuart Baker adjourned sentencing until 8 August and released Hussain, of Worston Place, on conditional bail.