A CHEF who tried to extort money out of Bay City Roller star Pat McGlynn after the former rocker won a restaurant has been jailed for a year.
The former musician, now 50 years old, won a £500,000 eatery in September 2007 during a gambling session.
But he became a target for crooks after the win and soon began receiving phone calls from Michael Willis.
Willis, 21, demanded £200,000,
telling the former star "get the money, or else". He also turned up at McGlynn's home in Edinburgh asking for cash.
The retired Roller was so disturbed by the threats that police moved him into a safe house while they investigated.
Yesterday at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Willis was jailed for 12 months after he had earlier admitted attempted extortion. The court had earlier heard how McGlynn won the restaurant – which has not been identified – in 2007.
Following the gambling session a contract transferring ownership was drawn-up.
But Willis demanded a share of McGlynn's good fortune – despite the ex-Roller later being told the contract was worthless and he had no right to the business.
McGlynn began receiving the threats up until December 11 that year.
He was able to identify Willis from his chilling phone calls during which he demanded £200,000 from the former pop star. The demands eventually fell to £5,000 as McGlynn refused to pay-up.
When Willis was quizzed by police, he admitted going to McGlynn's home in Liberton with two other men to get the money. He also confessed to making some threatening calls.
Willis' solicitor, George Henry, said his client had only gone to McGlynn's home once, on Decmber 11, but had made the phone calls because the rocker had not answered his door.
He added that his client had a drugs problem at the time.
Mr Henry said Willis – who was already serving 12 months for theft – had now "sorted himself out" and was doing a bricklaying course in jail.
Sheriff Derrick McIntyre said: "The offence is a serious one and I do not consider that there is any way of dealing with it other than a custodial sentence."
He sentenced Willis, of South Shields, Tyneside, to 12 months in custody, which will begin when his current jail term finishes.
The full article contains 389 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
