Property millionaire Simon Morris has been jailed for 18 months for threatening his former business partner by sending his 21-stone bodyguard into the former partner's home.

Former Leeds United FC director Morris sent his bodyguard Jonathan Ashworth to threaten Hedley Manton over a disputed £100,000 loan. Both parties are members of the Leeds Jewish community.

Morris, 34, who had a fortune of £69m before the collapse of his property empire, was found guilty of conspiracy to blackmail at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday.

His co-accused Ashworth received the same sentence, and two concurrent sentences of four months for weapons' possession.

Det Insp John Dexter of West Yorkshire Police said: "This case should send out a clear message that no one is above the law, no matter how wealthy or powerful they may once have been."