A JEWELLER relocated his family after a threatening note demanding cash was posted under security shutters at his shop.

The note, posted to Kinners Jewellers in Brackley Street, Farnworth, made Alex Kinner’s family’s life “a nightmare”, Bolton Crown Court heard.

Lindsay Thomas, prosecuting, said the letter, posted by Anthony Wilcock, made a demand for £1,353 — with instructions on how to hand over the cash. The note also claimed Mr Kinner’s family was being followed.

Mr Kinner immediately called police when he found the note on April 4 when he opened his shop.

He also received a silent call to the store’s landline, the court heard.

Ms Thomas said: “Police spoke to Mr Kinner and officers asked if there was anywhere else the family could go.

He said he could move south and arranged for a builder to install a full security system in his house.

“He told the builder to start doing work as soon as possible.

“Mr Kinner arranged to collect family and travel out of the area.”

A statement from Mr Kinner and his wife, Anita Kinner, said they had spent a lot of money securing their property.

They were also fearful of telling others what had happened in case other children stopped playing with their children.

Wilcock, aged 50, of Buckley Lane, Farnworth, admitted demanding money with menaces. He has a catalogue of previous convictions.

He was arrested within two days of the note being found, while shopping in Asda in Brackley Street, Farnworth.

Andrew Costello, defending, said Wilcock was struggling financially due to problems caused by ill health.

When the defendant was arrested he was ill and depressed.

He told police officers: "If I had the guts, I would be dead now."

He said he knew he would be caught on CCTV. He was seen on footage wearing no disguise.

Wilcock will be sentenced on July 17.