Have you ever borrowed money from a loan shark?

A loan shark has been sentenced to five years in jail and branded a 'ruthless individual' by the judge who jailed him.

John Kiely, 36, was sentenced to five years at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court for offences including blackmail and illegal money lending.

Kiely charged up to 2,437% interest on loans and used an army of enforcers to collect debts owed by poor families on Manchester housing estates, the jury that convicted him last month heard.

One of his victims, Donna Ockerby, 45, claimed she was left fearing for her life and was forced to move to a secret location to escape him.

Kiely was convicted of two counts of blackmail for his actions towards her.

Have you ever had an experience with a loan shark? What advice can you give to other Tiscali members to stop them falling into the same trappings? If you need to borrow money, how can you ensure that you borrow it on fair and responsible terms?

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