Man admits blackmailing Rooney's wife

A British man pleaded guilty on Tuesday of blackmailing the wife of Manchester United and England footballer Wayne Rooney after she lost a phone containing family photographs.

Lee Platt, 28, also admitted handling stolen goods when he appeared at Manchester Crown Court, northwest England.

He was arrested after Rooney's wife Coleen lost her mobile phone at a concert by US band Black Eyed Peas in Manchester in May last year. The phone was thought to contain photos of the couple's son taken on its camera.

Coleen Rooney was allegedly contacted later with a request for money to have the phone returned.

Jennifer Green, 25, and Steven Malcolm, 42 entered not guilty pleas to the same charges.