A judge has demanded a 'full inquiry' after investigators found that a criminal drugs gang was awarded a £25,000 from government as a coronavirus 'bounce back' loan.
The shocking details emerged during the trial of five men at Manchester Crown Court over a conspiracy to kidnap and rob an elderly businessman, Manchester Evening news reports.
Gary Betts, 57, Gerard Boyle, 57, John and Chris Sammon, aged 32 and 35, and Wayne Simmonds, 39, had already admitted being part of a conspiracy to supply cocaine.
They appeared before a judge over a plan to target the well-off man, aged in his 80s, by carrying out a fake police raid and stealing cash, luxury cars and jewellery believed to be kept at his home.A jury was told how Manchester-based