Man blackmailed US car designers

A man who tried to extort money from three US car designers has been found guilty on three counts of blackmail.

Guy Lloyd-Parker falsely claimed the men's dishonesty had seen him ripped off and ruined his life.

He claimed that sketches stolen by two college lecturers had led to designs such as the Audi TT, the BMW Z5, Mazda RX-8 and the Volvo XC90 being produced.

Lloyd-Parker, 46, of Blackheath, south-east London, will be sentenced later at Southwark Crown Court.

Exposure threat

California-based Volvo director Geza Loczi was among the designers targeted.

He received letters at both at his home and work saying he would be exposed as a "parasite, liar, thief and cheat" if he did not pay $75,000 (£37,682) within hours.

Giving evidence via a videolink, he said the "menacing" demands left him scared for himself and his family.

Former BMW and Aston Martin designer Henrik Fisker, and Mazda designer Tsutomu Matano, were also targeted.

Ian Hope, prosecuting, said all three of the victims had reached very high positions in their careers, only to find themselves suddenly facing smear campaigns.

He said each had received letters entitled "The Truth" and asking: "Imagine tomorrow's headlines all over the world."

They were warned that if they did not pay money the world's world media would find out "the whole truth".

Lloyd-Parker admitted memory problems after a moped accident 20 years ago, but admitted sending the letters.

He said 95 car designs were stolen from him while he was studying in the London College of Fashion in 1994.