Loan shark jailed four and-a-half years

A LOAN shark who threatened one of his victims, telling her “those fellas (will be) coming through your door” and threatening to kidnap her young son if she didn’t pay him, has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in jail, at Warrington Crown Court.
Lea Inskip, of Nightingale Road, Croxteth, Liverpool, admitted illegal money lending, three counts of blackmail and cocaine possession, at a previous hearing.
His partner Tamar O’Brien, of the same address, pleaded guilty to illegal money lending and was sentenced to six months in jail, suspended for two years, and a 12 month supervision order.
The court heard that the couple spent tens of thousands of pounds on cocaine, with a large part almost certainly paid for by the illegal business.
Judge David Hale described the pair as “leeches on the community” and told Inskip he exaggerated the amounts of money people owed.
Both Inskip and O’Brien were investigated and prosecuted by the North West Trading Standards illegal money lending team in partnership with Liverpool Trading Standards and Halton and Warrington Trading Standards.
Inskip and O’Brien ran an illegal money lending business called Diamond Loans. They would send out flyers in areas of Liverpool and Runcorn which said: “Do you need £100? Phone this number. Lee the loan man.”
One woman borrowed £100 and also bought some goods from Inskip, paying him £300 a month. Although she was given a repayment card, when she queried her outstanding balance he took the repayment card from her and she didn’t see it again, though Inskip continued to collect money from her.
Another woman bought a car from Inskip in September 2006 for £3,000 and agreed to pay between £150 and £200 per month until the full amount was paid. She made regular payments and in December 2007 thought she had made her final payment, but then received a phone call from Inskip demanding a further £2,500. When she refused to pay he threatened her, saying her son would be kidnapped and that people would “come through her door”.
When Inskip’s and O’Brien’s house was searched by the illegal money lending team a number of repayment cards were found along with £440 cash in a safe, and 6.3 grams of cocaine.
Inskip was sentenced to 12 years in jail for the illegal lending, three years each for the blackmail offences, to be served concurrently, and 18 months for the cocaine possession, to be served consecutive to the other offences.
After the hearing, Warrington’s public protection manager, Peter Astley, said: “Loan sharks are able to thrive in areas where people don’t have access to affordable credit. As we have seen, they prey on people who can’t easily borrow money from other sources or who only need a small loan, often for household emergencies. In these circumstances loan sharks may seem to be the only option. As we have heard today, such loans carry risks beyond the extortionate interest rates, making it credit that you really can’t afford to get involved with.
“Credit unions are a friendlier, safer and low cost option for small loans. For people who live or work in Halton, contact Halton Credit Union on 01928 588520. Warrington residents should visit www.warringtoncreditunions.co.uk to find out if there’s a credit union near them. The mother of loan shark victim Brian Shields has just launched the Brian Shields Trust for Halton residents who are victims of loan sharks and want to talk confidentially to someone who understands. The Brian Shields Trust can be contacted on 033 554545.”