A HEREFORD man accused of intimidating witnesses during the trial of a Polish gang has been bound over to keep the peace.

Stefan Zubryzycki, aged 50, was accused of using “offensive words” towards a Sun Valley employee while his 20- year-old son, Michal, was in the dock with five other defendants.

The group ran an extortion racket on migrant workers at the firm, and were later convicted of conspiracy to cause blackmail.

They were jailed for a total of 27 years on April 16, while Michal, of Ledbury Road, was also convicted of causing grievous bodily harm.

Zubryzycki, of Haston Close, Three Elms, appeared before Worcester Crown Court on Friday. He admitted speaking to a witness, but the CPS could offer no evidence towards charges of witness intimidation or revenge.

Michael Aspinall, prosecuting, said the two witnesses involved had already been through two lengthy trials, and the police agreed it would not be in the public’s interest to hold a third.

Zubryzycki said he should not be responsible for his son’s mistakes, and hoped to return to factory work.

He was bound over in the sum of £1,000 after Judge Alastair McCreath returned a not guilty verdict.