Loan shark and enforcer jailed for ‘vile’ fatal attack in Oldham

A loan shark and her enforcer have been jailed after beating a vulnerable drug user in a “brutal assault” that led to his death.

Jemma Marshall and Jason Wadsworth, both 37, of Shaw, in Oldham, attacked Martin Shaw as he walked home from an Oldham shop on 10 September 2023.

Mr Shaw, 45, was pulled into a car by the couple and was hit repeatedly. He died in hospital eight weeks later due to his injuries.

Marshall and Wadsworth were convicted of manslaughter by jurors at an earlier trial and were jailed at Manchester Crown Court on Monday. Marshall was jailed four years and five months, while Wadsworth will serve eight years and six months.

Marshall operated by exploiting drug users or alcohol dependents, like Mr Shaw, the same court heard in November.

Marshall engaged in drug use with her victims and would later claim they owed her money.

Wadsworth then acted as Marshall’s enforcer, using intimidation and violence to reinforce her demands, the court was told.

On the day of the attack, the pair dragged Mr Shaw from the roadside into Marshall’s car at about 21:30 BST.

The pair repeatedly struck him in the face and across the body – causing him to suffer broken ribs and a ruptured spleen.

Mr Shaw collapsed later that evening and was taken by paramedics to Royal Oldham Hospital, where he died weeks later.

Marshall showed no remorse and complained about about blood inside her vehicle, the court heard.

Marshall was arrested two days after the attack and told police she had given Mr Shaw a lift home and heard Wadsworth “scuffling” with him in the back of the car.

She also claimed she had lent Mr Shaw money but said she never threatened him for not paying her back.

Wadsworth was arrested 12 days after the attack and made no comment in his police interview.

Following their conviction, Det Ch Insp Neil Higginson said: “Martin Shaw was subject to a terrifying and brutal assault, sadly leading to his death weeks later because of a ruptured spleen and multiple rib fractures.

“This vicious attack – for which neither perpetrator has expressed remorse – was truly vile and I am glad they are now behind bars.”