Loan shark preyed on Thais in Plymouth
Paul Thomas also pleaded guilty at Plymouth Crown Court yesterday to obtaining benefits including housing and council tax by making false statements.
Thomas failed to notify the Department of Work and Pensions and Plymouth City Council of his change of circumstances between March 2004 and April 2008, claiming he had no other income or property when in fact he had an income from money-lending and other sources, and owned property in Thailand.
Thomas, aged 49, of Penlee Place, Mutley, denied a further charge of inciting a woman to become a prostitute between January 1, 2007, and March 4 this year.
The prosecution was brought by a new anti-loan shark unit, the Bristol-based South West Illegal Money Lending Team.
Outside the court, regional enforcement manager Alan Evans said: "Thomas was a prolific loan shark operating in and around Plymouth, charging exorbitant interest rates right across the Thai community. The amounts lent ranged from £500 to £5,000."
Thomas's Thai ex-wife Ratree Jungern, aged 32 and formerly of the same address but now living in North Road East, denied both joint charges of benefit fraud and a charge of aiding and abetting her former husband in unlicensed money-lending.
The pair were arrested separately following a raid on a suspected brothel in St Judes in March.
The court heard that Thomas, who is unwell, has a wife and two young children living in Thailand, and asked for documents to be released allowing them to travel to the UK to see him.
The next hearing to consider the pleas is expected to be held at Plymouth Crown Court on November 27.
