A DRUGS boss who built up a ruthless crime empire in Greater Manchester was jailed for seven years yesterday and branded a danger to the public.

The jury at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, found Brian Nield, aged 31, guilty of blackmail and using a gun to threaten a mum-of-two.

Nield broke into 31-year-old Tia Walker's home in Bexley Drive, Walkden, with accomplice Malachi Reynolds, aged 27, of Eliza Street, Hulme, on April 27 last year.

Wearing body armour and carrying imitation handguns, they demanded £10,000 from Walker as "back payment" for drugs she used to deal for Nield.

When they failed to get the money, they stole her Peugeot 205, which was later found near Nield's home in Haymond Close, Salford. Armed police were called to his house and a 10-hour siege ensued.

Yesterday, Judge Jeffrey Lewis jailed Nield and Reynolds for the public's protection because of their extensive previous convictions.

They were jailed for seven years but must serve a minimum of five before being eligible for parole.

The defendants claimed they visited Walker to find out when she would begin paying back £4,000 she allegedly borrowed from Nield.

They maintained Walker gave them the car - which was bought on finance - as a security payment.

The court heard that after Nield was arrested, the police issued Walker a warning that they had intelligence her life was in danger.

She was forced to flee her home, spending days in a hotel before moving to a hostel for four months.

The pair were found guilty in November and had been remanded in custody until yesterday's sentencing.