Menu
20/03/2009
Loan Shark Who Raped Client Jailed
A loan shark who raped one of his customers has been jailed for seven years.
Paul Nicholson, 39, was last month found guilty of an array of offences including blackmail, assault and rape.
Warrington Crown Court heard the former nightclub doorman had demanded money from debtors by threatening them with a baseball bat, machete and knuckle-dusters he owned.
He targeted people who could not get credit elsewhere on estates in Widnes in Cheshire, and charged exorbitant rates of interests on loans.
Judge Thomas Teague QC said he ran a racket which displayed "human greed in its purest form".
The jury also heard Nicholson, who lived in a £1 million house next to a golf course in Delamere, Cheshire, forced one woman who owed him money to perform a sex act on him.
He also punched another in the face, and told a debtor: "Your priority is to pay me, not feed your kids."
He was found guilty of 12 counts of blackmail, and one each of rape, actual bodily harm, operating without a license, lying to obtain a license and acquiring criminal property.
His girlfriend Tracey Rogers, 38, who helped run his empire, Falcon Securities, was also sentenced to four years behind bars after being convicted of blackmail, operating without a licence and acquiring criminal property.
The couple targeted more than 800 poor people, charging up to 150% interest on loans.
(JM/BMcC)
Paul Nicholson, 39, was last month found guilty of an array of offences including blackmail, assault and rape.
Warrington Crown Court heard the former nightclub doorman had demanded money from debtors by threatening them with a baseball bat, machete and knuckle-dusters he owned.
He targeted people who could not get credit elsewhere on estates in Widnes in Cheshire, and charged exorbitant rates of interests on loans.
Judge Thomas Teague QC said he ran a racket which displayed "human greed in its purest form".
The jury also heard Nicholson, who lived in a £1 million house next to a golf course in Delamere, Cheshire, forced one woman who owed him money to perform a sex act on him.
He also punched another in the face, and told a debtor: "Your priority is to pay me, not feed your kids."
He was found guilty of 12 counts of blackmail, and one each of rape, actual bodily harm, operating without a license, lying to obtain a license and acquiring criminal property.
His girlfriend Tracey Rogers, 38, who helped run his empire, Falcon Securities, was also sentenced to four years behind bars after being convicted of blackmail, operating without a licence and acquiring criminal property.
The couple targeted more than 800 poor people, charging up to 150% interest on loans.
(JM/BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 June 2012
Three Jailed For £9m Sainsbury's Overcharging Scam
Three men have been jailed for a £9m overcharging scam against Sainsbury's. Andrew Behagg and David Baxter, former directors at the potato supplier Greenvale, showered Sainsbury's potato buyer John Maylam with gifts and hospitality in return for lucrative contracts.
Three Jailed For £9m Sainsbury's Overcharging Scam
Three men have been jailed for a £9m overcharging scam against Sainsbury's. Andrew Behagg and David Baxter, former directors at the potato supplier Greenvale, showered Sainsbury's potato buyer John Maylam with gifts and hospitality in return for lucrative contracts.
02 April 2004
Three 'gangmasters' jailed for money laundering
Three men who were operating as gangmasters in Cambridgeshire, controlling hundreds of illegal workers, have been jailed for money-laundering today.
Three 'gangmasters' jailed for money laundering
Three men who were operating as gangmasters in Cambridgeshire, controlling hundreds of illegal workers, have been jailed for money-laundering today.
20 April 2011
Three Convicted For Money Laundering Network
Three people have been found guilty at Kingston Crown Court for their part in a large-scale money laundering network which operated between Britain and Jamaica. The convictions follow an extensive investigation by financial detectives from the Metropolitan Police Service's Trident, working closely with colleagues from Jamaica.
Three Convicted For Money Laundering Network
Three people have been found guilty at Kingston Crown Court for their part in a large-scale money laundering network which operated between Britain and Jamaica. The convictions follow an extensive investigation by financial detectives from the Metropolitan Police Service's Trident, working closely with colleagues from Jamaica.
08 December 2009
Family Jailed For Drugs Offences
Five men and one women - all members of the same London family - have been jailed for a total of 37 years for drug offences. All six appeared at Harrow Crown Court on December 4. On April 15, 100 Metropolitan Police officers executed search warrants at ten addresses in Brent.
Family Jailed For Drugs Offences
Five men and one women - all members of the same London family - have been jailed for a total of 37 years for drug offences. All six appeared at Harrow Crown Court on December 4. On April 15, 100 Metropolitan Police officers executed search warrants at ten addresses in Brent.
13 March 2008
'Lost' Darwins Due In Court
John Darwin, the man who faked his death in a canoe accident, has appeared in court today, along with his wife, to face deception charges. Mr Darwin, 57, pleaded guilty to seven charges of obtaining cash by deception, as well as passport offences at Leeds Crown Court on Friday. However, he denied nine charges of using criminal property.
'Lost' Darwins Due In Court
John Darwin, the man who faked his death in a canoe accident, has appeared in court today, along with his wife, to face deception charges. Mr Darwin, 57, pleaded guilty to seven charges of obtaining cash by deception, as well as passport offences at Leeds Crown Court on Friday. However, he denied nine charges of using criminal property.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Some low cloud lingering in the north and west through the day, although cloud should burn back to the coast as the day goes on. Elsewhere some good sunny spells with very little cloud. Warm with light winds. Maximum temperature 22 °C.Tonight:A sunny evening for most except where cloud lingers along the north coast. Cloud will increase for a lot of areas overnight with mist and fog patches developing. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
