STEPHEN Ireland has told of his relief after a bus driver admitted a blackmail plot involving the Manchester City star.

Paul Smith, 29, pleaded guilty at Manchester Crown Court to demanding £20,000 with menaces.

'Relief'

Ireland said: "It is a relief that this man has now pleaded guilty. It is a weight off my mind and I now feel like I can get on with my life and career without the extra worry this whole thing has caused."

The court was told Smith contacted City's former chief operating officer Paul Aldridge as part of the blackmail plot. It is understood the charge related to demands for money for the return of an iPod belonging to Ireland which was found in the changing room of a Manchester clothes store.

Smith, of Parsonage Street, Stockport, offered no plea to the charge when he previously appeared at Manchester magistrates court.

Custodial sentence
His solicitor at the time, Sean Draycott, said his client would firmly deny the allegation in due course.

But on Friday Smith had a change of heart and admitted the offence. He was warned by His Honour Judge Goldstone QC that a custodial sentence was 'highly likely'.

He was bailed, on condition that he continues to live at his home address, to re-appear at the same court on July 17.

Foundation
Smith was accused of contacting City asking for £20,000 for the return of Ireland's iPod on January 29 this year. But cops were called in by club officials and, after inquiries, Smith was arrested. Ireland, named City player of the year last season, has not appeared in court for any of the hearings.

The player, who hit the headlines for dropping his shorts after scoring a goal to reveal a pair of Superman underpants, has turned his reputation around in recent years after starting his own foundation to raise cash for charity Francis House in Didsbury.

But he stunned football when he refused to continue playing for the Republic of Ireland after claiming his grandmother had died - when she was alive and well.

You can get more information on Stephen Ireland's foundation to raise cash for Didsbury's Francis House at www.stephenireland.com.