During the trial, the jury of four men and eight women heard that Fogg initially told police he was stopped by what appeared to be VOSA inspectors near Junction Seven of the M53, on his way to Birkenhead.

When he got out of his cab he said he was pounced on by a gang with a knife. Two of them got into his cab and told him to comply with their instructions.

The story went that he drove at knife-point to Birkenhead, collected his load, then, on the way to Humberside, he made a detour into Hapsford Services, near Chester, where his trailer was uncoupled and his cargo stolen. He then drove to Immingham docks, was bound, gagged and roughed up by his hijackers.

But thick set father-of-three Fogg, who was chatty and relaxed throughout his trial, suddenly changed his story when confronted with evidence showing he made parts of it up.

Police found he had made a call on his mobile at a time after he said it had been stolen. He said the hijackers told him to remove a "Foggy" numberplate from his windscreen, but CCTV showed he had not.

DNA tests also revealed Fogg had bound and gagged himself with the sticky tape.

In a U-turn, Fogg admitted there was no hijack but claimed he was under duress to comply with the gang. In another breathtaking lie, he said he had been accosted by two burly Ulstermen on an Amsterdam-Humberside ferry who threatened his family if he did not do as he was told.

In the witness box last week, Fogg said their message was clear: "Do as you’re told and no-one gets hurt".

They gave him a mobile phone and called with instructions about when and where the heist would go off, he said.

But yesterday Fogg’s lies caught up with him as jurors saw through his ruse. He will be sentenced on October 21.

DI Orton added: "It is hoped that the publicity surrounding this case will prompt road haulage companies to review their internal security measures, particularly in relation to conducting background checks on the individuals they employ.

"In addition, I would like to warn any individual involved in the haulage and transportation business who may be tempted to stage any crimes similar to this, that regardless of how attractive a financial incentive may seem, Cheshire Police supported by the haulage industry will investigate any allegation thoroughly"