A Facebook blackmailer who targeted a terrified hospital worker he claimed was pestering his girlfriend has been locked up for a year.

Burnley Crown Court heard how bully Kristen Walker, 18, got £250 out of his vulnerable victim in a Christmas campaign of repeated threats of violence over the social networking site.

He told the victim if he did not pay up, his face would get smashed in.

The victim was so scared he twice handed over cash, including "protection money".

Walker, who warned him not to tell anyone, was only rumbled when the victim got a message at work, burst into tears and police were called.

The defendant was said to have believed the victim had been messaging his partner, even though the victim had had no contact with her for months.

He was to tell police he was sorry and promised he would pay the money back - but he never did.

Walker, father of a three-year-old son, admitted three counts of blackmail, last December 22, 24 and 26.

Silvia Dacre, prosecuting, said in early 2010, the victim had met Daniella Mancini in a pub and they had had some communication on Facebook and by text, but had not been in contact after last May.

Last December, Walker, of Hardman Avenue, Rawtenstall, seemed to have found some of the messages, was upset and thought they were a slight on him and that the victim had been bothering his girlfriend.

Miss Dacre said the defendant contacted the victim by Facebook and accused him of "trying to get it on with my missus."

The victim apologised, even though it wasn't clear what he was supposed to have done.

Walker told him: "Either you get your face smashed in, I get £150. Take your pick." The hospital worker handed over £150 and told nobody.

The prosecutor said the victim then received more messages asking for money.

For Walker, James Heyworth said the offences were very much out of character.

He was at a loss now to reconcile his behaviour with the way he behaved with his family, his employers and his three-year-old son.