A "LOAN SHARK" chasing repayments threatened to kill members of Swansea's Asian community and break their children's legs, a court heard.

It is alleged threats were made by members of the Bowen family and two associates, in a bid to get back thousands of pounds in borrowed monies, plus "extortionate" rates of interest.

The four men and two women standing trial at Swansea Crown Court have denied the offences of blackmail and unlawful debt collection. Standing trial are brothers Johnathan David Bowen, aged 38, and Timothy Bowen, aged 37, both of Hendrefoilan Road, Killay, their sister Sally Morris, aged 35, of Killan Road, Dunvant, and their mother Gaynor Bowen, aged 66, of Gower Road, Killay.

Also charged is Richard John Rowe, aged 37, of Priors Way, Dunvant, and Glyn John Stock, aged 41, of Killan Road, Dunvant.

Barrister Susan Ferrier said it was the prosecution's case that it was David Bowen, the estranged husband of Gaynor Bowen, who was loaning people money and charging up to 50 per cent interest.

She said he wasn't in the dock because he is in ill-heath and unfit to stand trial.

It is alleged the victims in the case were "predominantly" members of Swansea's Asian restaurant community, who were "vulnerable" people seeking cash.

"When persons got into difficulties in repaying the amounts of money they would on occasions be visited, threatened, intimidated and bullied," said Miss Ferrier.

She said it was alleged that David Bowen would visit those who had borrowed cash with his sons Johnathan and Timothy acting as "heavies", in a bid to get back his money plus interest.

She said when Mr Bowen was taken ill, the collection of monies owed was taken over by Gaynor Bowen and Morris.

Miss Ferrier said that even after borrowers had paid back their loans and interest in full, Morris contacted them and claimed some still owed thousands of pounds,

The jury were told that the threats made to borrowers who fell behind in repayments included, that they would be killed, their houses "would be petrol bombed", and their children's legs would be broken.

Miss Ferrier said that years after borrower Abdul Hafeez had repaid debts of what he believed to be up to £80,000, Morris visited his home demanding cash.

Miss Ferrier said Stock was with Morris as well as Rowe.

"Richard Rowe had armed himself with an axe at the time of one visit," said Miss Ferrier.

She said at one point Stock had butted Mr Hafeez's son, and when police arrived the men dispersed.

The trial continues.

julia.bosnyak@swwmedia.co.uk