They preyed on the vulnerable for their own personal gain
by Emily Carubia · Liverpool EchoThese cases show there are no depths that some criminals won't sink to
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Awful cases pass through our courts every day, but some are especially distressing because of the vulnerability of those targeted. This week, the ECHO reported on the sentencing of Carole Lowe - a drug-dealing loan shark grandmother who "ruthlessly exploited the weak," cruising in her BMW to collect repayments after issuing loans with interest rates of up to 100%.
Such callous offences are a stark reminder that some offenders will stoop to shocking lows, including deliberately preying on those least able to protect themselves.
From criminals who coerce children into carrying out drug dealing, to the exploitation of indebted and vulnerable addicts, the ECHO has documented some of the most cowardly and vile cases to come before the courts in recent years.
Carole Lowe and Seng Lowe
A drug dealing loan shark nan "ruthlessly exploited the weak" as she drove around in her BMW collecting money after lending cash at interest rates of up to 100 per cent. Carole Lowe operated as an illegal money lender for more than six years, claiming to have been "helping out her friends" out of the goodness of her heart as she lent in the region of quarter of a million pounds while netting more than £100,000 in profits.
The 65-year-old was also "part and parcel" of a heroin and crack cocaine supply operation run by and named after her son Seng Lowe, including packaging drugs up for sale then supplying them to customers. She later admitted upon her arrest that she had "lent money to smackheads", but went on to claim she had been blackmailed by her own child.
Seng Lowe admitted conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool wearing a navy blue Berghaus t-shirt, he was jailed for 40 months.
Carole Lowe pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine and participating in the activities of a regulated activity when not authorised. She appeared to be wiping tears away in the dock before she was handed 39 months behind bars.
1 of 6(Image: Merseyside Police)Keane Mulligan, Graham McEvoy, Lewis Davies and James Byott
Keane Mulligan was one of a number of teenagers and young men who were ensnared by a specialist police probe targeting county lines drug dealing in the Newton-le-Willows and St Helens areas.
Mulligan and one-time co-defendants Graham McEvoy and Lewis Davies supplied class A drugs to addicts by coercing vulnerable children into doing their bidding. Above the three men, all in their late teens, was James Byott, who controlled the drug line which sent "flare" messages advertising their drugs.
Analysis of a phone later seized from McEvoy showed how the chain of business worked. "Once a customer indicated an interest in purchasing drugs, a runner would be sent to effect the transaction", court documents seen by the ECHO show. "The runners were expected to be available at all times, including late at night.
"They were placed in dangerous situations, where addicts might refuse to pay or try to steal drugs from them. Rival gangs were vying to take over the line. The runners were also exposed to the class A drugs they were selling. They were paid about £50 to £100 per day."
The judge sentenced the three young men to a total of more than 24 years in prison in March 2024. Gang boss Byott received a 12-year prison term for his role at the top of the chain. Mulligan later appealed his sentence and it was reduced from eight years and six months to six years and eight months.
2 of 6(Image: Merseyside Police)Jemma Marshall
A mum-of-three from Shaw was convicted of manslaughter following the death of a vulnerable man linked to drug addiction and debt exploitation.
Jemma Marshall, 37, was found guilty alongside Jason Wadsworth, also 37, over the death of 45-year-old Martin Shaw. The pair were cleared of murder after a month-long trial.
The court heard Mr Shaw, a recovering addict on a methadone programme, had built up significant debt. Prosecutors said Marshall acted as a loan shark, charging high interest, while Wadsworth enforced payments.
On September 10 2023, Mr Shaw was forced into Marshall's car in Oldham and violently assaulted, suffering serious internal injuries. He later died in hospital on November 4.
Marshall denied taking part in the attack, while Wadsworth admitted striking Mr Shaw but blamed her for instigating the confrontation.
Both were convicted of manslaughter. Marshall was jailed four years and five months, while Wadsworth will serve eight years and six months.
3 of 6(Image: GMP)
Francesca Fairhurst
A cruel woman exploited the trust of two OAPs in order to steal hundreds of pounds in cash. Francesca Fairhurst asked for £20 from an elderly woman after going to her house in Parr, St Helens.
The victim, who has poor mobility, feared for her safety and gave her £10 as a result, before the 37-year-old demanded more money and was given another £5. She then left but returned a short time later and asked to use the toilet while she waited for a taxi.
But Fairhurst instead barged her way in and stole the pensioner's purse before withdrawing £200 for her bank account. It came after she targeted a vulnerable man using a walking aid on Crab Street in the town, stealing his wallet and £200 in cash contained within.
Fairhurst later withdrew £380 from cash machines using his bank card, which she tried to make purchases with at convenience stores, then went to his home the following day, banging on his front door and demanding to be let in. She admitted burglary and theft and was jailed for six years.
4 of 6(Image: Merseyside Police)Gary and Diane Mansell
A shameful husband and wife who "lived outside the lifestyle they could afford" defrauded an elderly couple leaving them with just 28p in the bank.
Gary Mansell, 61, and his wife Diane, 58, defrauded his vulnerable parents out of more than £117,000 over a three-and a-half-year period while acting as the pair's power of attorney. Liverpool Crown Court heard how they spent the money on extravagant holidays, designer accessories and house conversions, eventually leaving the elderly pair with just 28p in their bank account.
Judge David Swinnerton called the pair's actions a "despicable display of greed and vanity". He said that the pensioners were left with "no comfort or security in their twilight years".
He sentenced the couple, of Camp Road in Woolton, to six years in prison.
5 of 6Alan Fawcett
A vile loan shark who ran an illegal "payday loan scheme" left his vulnerable victims "living in fear" when they were unable to meet his high-interest demands. On the surface, Alan Fawcett ran an online marketplace, buying and selling games consoles and TVs.
But in fact he actually handed out around £100,000 in loans to people, making an estimated £130,000 back in repayments over a two-year period. When his borrowers struggled to repay - often being charged at least 50% interest on the amount they borrowed - the greedy crook would threaten them, leaving some 'living in fear' for themselves and their families
Bolton Crown Court heard on February 4 2026 that one of Fawcett's borrowers said they continue to isolate themselves, "still closing the blinds and don't leave the house".
The court heard that in the two years between 2021 and 2023, Fawcett handed out 72 different loans to individuals, lending at least £100,000 and receiving payments of at least £130,000 charging at least 50% interest. It was estimated one borrower had seen an increase of around 500% in just a two-month period.
A report was made to the England Illegal Money Lending Team in 2022, that brought police to the door of Fawcett, 54 of Warrington Road, Ince, Wigan.
Fawcett later admitted illegal money lending and money laundering between 2021 and 2023 - but had disputed the amounts involved and that any threats were involved.
Fawcett was sentenced to four years in jail for money laundering and 18 months for illegal money lending, to run concurrently. He was also disqualified from driving for four years in total as driving was also part of the offending.
6 of 6(Image: GMP)