Ex-security boss William Isaac cleared of debt threats (From The Northern Echo)

Ex-security boss William Isaac cleared of debt threats

8:29am Friday 3rd September 2010 in

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A FORMER security firm boss accused of blackmailing a North-East businessman has walked free from court after a glowing reference from a world champion boxer.

Boxing legend Ricky Hatton can today be revealed as the mystery sports star whose testimonial was read to the jury during the Teesside Crown Court trial of William Isaac.

Mr Isaac, from Manchester, was alleged to have threatened to kill the businessman’s wife and children if he failed to meet a seven-day deadline to hand over £2.5m.

The 42-year-old was arrested days after the allegation was made in September last year and has spent much of the past 12 months behind bars waiting for his trial.

Last night, Mr Isaac was a free man again after the jury took less than an hour to find him not guilty of blackmail at the end of a trial that has lasted eight days.

The jury heard the testimonial from former world champion Hatton, who said he had known the hardman for eight to ten years, and had trained with him many times.

“He was a great inspiration and used to help my training sessions,” said the Manchester- based former champion.

“He helped local youngsters to get off the streets and into shape. He also taught them to be respectful to others.”

“He is a credit to the sport.”

Gym boss Bob Shannon appeared in person to give evidence and described Mr Isaac as “a genuine, caring person”

who had supported him after his son died in a car crash.

Mr Shannon accepted burly Mr Isaac looked intimidating, but said: “Don’t take the book by its cover... of course Billy’s a very hard lad, but he’s got another side to him.”

Mr Isaac accepted going to the businessman’s home with three other men, but said he was there to collect a legitimate debt and insisted he never uttered any threats.

He said he had spoken to him like a gentleman. “I would say the meeting was cordial – firm, but cordial... to say I threatened his wife and children disgusts me,” he said.

■ An order prohibiting the identification of witnesses was relaxed by Judge David Bryant yesterday, but a ban on naming the complainant was kept in place.