Three men cleared of conspiring to blackmail Premier League footballer

Three men have been acquitted of conspiring to blackmail a Premier League star caught in bed with a woman who was not his partner.

Natalie Wood, 28, had met the player twice after he contacted her online, and wanted to expose him after discovering he was in a relationship.

Bristol Crown Court heard that last year Nathan Coleman and Prince Rowe burst in on Wood and the footballer as they were in a hotel room – filming as he jumped out of a window in his pants.

It was alleged the men planned to film the pair to sell the story. But they gave evidence that they just went to see if it really was the footballer in question

The player, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, received a message from Wood threatening to expose him.

Nathan, 38, brother Tyrone, 34, and Rowe were acquitted of conspiracy to blackmail following a trial. Nathan was also acquitted of three theft charges.

Rowe, 37, of Birmingham, was convicted of two counts of theft, over a tracksuit and £24,000 Rolex watch left by the star.

Wood – who previously admitted ­blackmail – will be sentenced with Rowe next month.