Detectives give update on probe into claims juror at Fleetwood Town boss Andy Pilley's trial was bribed

Detectives investigating whether a juror at a trial of Fleetwood Town Football Club owner Andy Pilley was offered £20,000 to find him guilty have concluded their investigations.

Disgraced businessman Andy Pilley, who also owns a number of energy companies, was jailed for 13 years for mis-selling expensive energy contracts to the tune of £15m in July.

Now a juror at the Preston Crown Court trial, whrich ran from October to March, has told the Mail Sport he was approached in a park by two ‘thick-set’ men and offered a bribe.

Andy Pilley has been at the helm of Fleetwood Town for 20 years

The whistleblower says he was approached as the trial was being heard and told there would be ‘consequences’ should he not accept the bribe, which others on the jury had allegedly taken.

In a panic, he fled overseas and was excused from duty. But when Pilley was locked up for more than a decade after being found guilty of fraud, the juror, who has asked to remain anonymous, reported the matter to police.

He says hours later they informed him they would not be taking the matter further.

The juror said: "Everyone deserves a fair trial and people need to know what happened."

A Lancashire Police spokesman said the complaint had been fully investigated by detectives.

He said: “The complaint was investigated and there was no evidence of any criminal wrongdoing.

"No further action was taken and the investigation has now been closed pending any new information coming to light.”

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