Loan shark jailed after kidnapping on camera

A LOAN shark from Barnsley who subjected his terrified victims to kidnap, abuse and humiliation has been jailed for seven years.

Richard Dawson was caught on CCTV bundling a victim from the boot of his car as he forced him to withdraw cash.

The 35-year-old appeared before Sheffield Crown Court accused of trapping his victims in a “cycle of debt and despair”.

After Dawson pleaded guilty to various charges, the judge heard how he received £52,000 in repayments from 88 “customers” he had illegally lent money to.

The operation was led by the National Illegal Money Lending Team, supported by South Yorkshire Police and Barnsley Council.

One of Dawson’s victims became caught up in a cycle of debt after borrowing £5, the court was told. Dawson said that if she failed to repay it, it would double, and then triple with each passing week, until she became indebted to him.

When another victim failed to pay Dawson, he was assaulted and sustained a broken jaw, police said.

PC Mark Whittaker, from the Barnsley Safer Neighbourhood Service, said officers had initially been asked to look into reports of drug dealing and anti-social behaviour.

“I visited the victims, and it became apparent that what those reporting had actually witnessed wasn’t drug dealing but the activity of a loan shark," he said.

“The victims, petrified of the repercussions of Dawson, refused to disclose any information. Dawson’s hold on his victims was too great and for their own safety they were rehoused.”

PC Whittaker said police began to examine Dawson's accounts, and it was when the kidnap was caught on CCTV that the case turned.

Dawson, of Hill End Close, was jailed for seven years after admitting kidnap, wounding with intent, carrying on a regulated activity when not authorised, concealing, disguising, converting or transferring criminal property, and assault causing actual bodily harm.