A man from Harlesden who blackmailed a schoolgirl into handing over her families’ gold after befriending her via Blackberry BBM messaging service has been jailed.

Osman Ahmad frightened the 15-year-old girl into handing over the valuables by threatening to tell her family they had formed a relationship after they met in a park in October 2012.

Harrow Crown Court heard the pair had first come into contact with each other the month before.

When the 25-year-old pizza delivery rider first met his victim he asked if her family had any gold, but she didn’t think much of this at the time.

However, over the following two weeks Ahmad consistently contacted the girl, asking about gold before scaring her into handing over the keys to her home.

He searched the property but couldn’t find anything so she handed over a quantity on two occasions with Ahmad claiming he would return it.

He was arrested after the victim finally told her mother of the bribery.

Ahmad has been sentenced to four years n jail for blackmail.

DC Alex Reeve, investigating officer, said: “Ahmad knew he could manipulate the victim by threatening to tell her parents of their so-called ‘relationship’.

“He used her fear to control her and make her feel that she had no other option but to do as he said. His only aim was theft and he didn’t care how he achieved this or what damage he was doing to a vulnerable young girl.”

Adding that Ahmad may have blackmailed other victims, he said: ”I would urge anyone who recognises his tactics to contact the police on 101 as soon as possible.

“I would like to reassure anyone who may be worried about contacting the police that they will be treated with the utmost sensitivity.”