A CONVICTED loan shark who spent her 45th birthday in court was told to pay back nearly £40,000 or face another spell in prison.

Heide Wahida Baker (pictured), of Bourne Avenue, Hayes, was sentenced to 15 months in jail in March after admitting illegal money lending, money laundering and fraud.

She has since been released, but appeared at Isleworth Crown Court just before Christmas for a confiscation hearing.

The judge told Baker, who is from the Philippines, she must pay back £39,881.59 within six months or go to jail for another 15 months.

At her trial, the court heard how Baker's clients - from poor Filipino communities in Brent, Barnet, Fulham, Southwark and Redbridge - were made to pay huge interest on loans.

One victim was forced to hand over her passport and her savings account card and PIN as security.

Baker asked a number of her customers to sign a document headed 'Trust Receipt of Money and Jewelry', suggesting that she was entrusting money or jewellery to them.

She told borrowers that the transactions took place under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Embassy, and phoney embassy documents and passports were found when her home was searched in February.

Peter Richardson, manager of the London Trading Standards illegal money lending team, said after the court hearing: "The result warns loan sharks not to prey on the poor and vulnerable at Christmas.

"We will take money back from these criminals.

"We are keen to ensure the community is informed and makes the best possible financial decisions for them and their families both now and in the new year."

Councillor Jonathan Bianco, Hillingdon Council's cabinet member for finance, property and business services, commented: "No matter how tempting it may be to turn to a loan shark, particularly at this time of year, there are alternatives, such as credit unions, that will not rip you off.

"Anyone who's already involved with a loan shark should report it, so that action can be taken to put these exploitative individuals out of business."