A man on benefits even though he had £68,000 in the bank was sentenced for illegal money lending on Thursday.
Prosecution counsel Michael Chambers KC told Belfast Recorder Judge Patricia Smyth that police carried out a search of properties in the Larne area including one linked to the defendant’s girlfriend. “There are no identifying factors such as full names, addresses or contact details so that meant there were no statements of complaint and no information about those to whom money was leant.”
“Checks were made with HM Revenue and Customs and no tax had been paid on the recorded amounts and no VAT was paid.” The Belfast Recorder added that there was no evidence before the court of any interest being charged or “any pressure being exerted on any indvidual”.