A New Malden man has denied running a ‘loan shark’ business.
Cathiresapillai Yogananthan, 52, of Bodley Road, denies 12 counts of money lending without a licence and money laundering.
Mr Yogananthan was charged after an investigation by the England Illegal Money Lending team, alongside Kingston Council.
He was arrested at his home in July last year.
Loan sharks are illegal moneylenders who often charge very high interest rates and harass people who get behind on their repayments, sometimes turning to violence, according to the Illegal Lending Team.
They sometimes frighten people by saying they will be prosecuted and even sent to prison if they do not pay up.
A plea and case management hearing for Mr Yogananthan was held on July 17, and a trial will take place at Kingston Crown Court on Monday, December 2.
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