AN alleged Ipswich loan shark is being is to appear in court on charges of illegal money-lending over a period of six years.

AN alleged Ipswich loan shark is being is to appear in court on charges of illegal money-lending over a period of six years.

Carl Adams, of Spenser Road, in the Whitton area of town, is facing three accusations in a prosecution brought by a specialist team from the Midlands, which investigates illegal money lending.

However, Adams' case is being brought before South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court in Ipswich.

Two of the charges against the 37-year-old involve engaging in activity requiring a consumer credit licence when Adams was not a licensee.

One of the accusations relates the period between April 1, 2003 and July 7, 2008, while the other refers to the period between August 1, 2008 and May 22, 2009.

A third charge has been brought under the Proceeds of Crime Act. In essence, it accuses Adams of money laundering the cash he obtained from his alleged money-lending business in Ipswich.

This charge also relates to the period between August 1, 2008 and May 22, 2009. The maximum penalty for a successful prosecution on this accusation is six months imprisonment and/or a fine not exceeding the money made.

The first hearing of the case has already come before the magistrates' court.

However, it lasted less than five minutes and no pleas were entered on Adams' behalf.

Neither the defendant nor anyone representing the prosecution, which was said to be Birmingham City Council, appeared before District Judge David Cooper.

Ian Duckworth, who was representing Adams, asked Judge Cooper for a four-week adjournment.

The request was granted and the next hearing is scheduled at the same court for July 20.

The prosecution comes as a result of an inquiry by the East of England Trading Standards illegal money-lending team.