GANGSTER David Hibbs-Turner ran a protection racket from his prison cell as he awaited trial for murder.

Liverpool Crown Court heard “enforcer” Hibbs-Turner wielded such power he was extorting money from a security firm while sat in Walton prison.

Rowena Goode, prosecuting, told the court he made a string of threats to the boss of Step Up security from a phone from his cell. The blackmail began in December, 2006, and lasted until June, 2007.

Ms Goode said: “Hibbs-Turner was in custody for the latter part of that time-span, but nonetheless he actively participated in blackmailing, notwithstanding the fact he was in custody.”

It began when Hibbs-Turner rang the firm saying that he wanted the site because it was on “his patch”.

Soon, Hibbs-Turner was warning the firm’s area manager he would find out where he lived and “bomb his house with him in it”. He also threatened to “spray the site with bullets”.

Weeks later, a fire was started at the company’s site and an £18,000 digger was destroyed.

The firm agreed to pay Hibbs-Turner £900 a month, but after he was remanded in custody for murder on February 15 bosses believe the deal had ended. But, weeks later, they received a series of calls from Hibbs-Turner from his cell.

Ms Goode said: “Hibbs-Turner made it plain the fact he was in jail and no longer available made no difference, he was still in charge and he was still directing operations.”

Mr Justice Butterfield said: “It was a sustained campaign of blackmail involving serious threats of extreme physical violence.”