A HALLIWELL doorman is behind bars after he blackmailed a Chinese takeaway in Leigh following an argument about peas in his meal.

Rafike Riaz, aged 43, of Canada Street, Halliwell, Bolton, was jailed for two and a half years after he repeatedly threatened the owners of Dragon City in Wigan Road despite being given £500.

The row started when Riaz demanded a refund after complaining that his order contained peas.

He was given £6.70 back, but began threatening staff and demanded £1,000 or he would “put them out of business”, leading the owners to pay out £500.

They contacted police after he continued to threaten them.

On Friday, Judge Clement Goldstone, at Liverpool Crown Court, jailed him for two years for blackmail, with six months consecutive for breaching a community order for an attack.

Riaz was also ordered to pay £500 compensation and Judge Goldstone imposed an indefinite restraining order to stay away from Dragon City, its owners and their families.