Loan shark and her enforcer guilty of manslaughter after CPS proves a vicious attack eight weeks prior caused death of vulnerable man

A loan shark and her enforcer have been found guilty of killing Martin Shaw in Oldham in 2023 – after prosecutors proved the victim had died as a result of injuries inflicted in a savage attack eight weeks earlier.

Jemma Marshall and her enforcer, Jason Wadsworth, both, 37, were convicted of manslaughter after 45-year-old Martin Shaw was forced into Marshalls Audi car and subjected to a vicious assault that led to his death.

Mark Andrews, Senior Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service in the North West, said: “Marshall and Wadsworth carried out a violent assault on Martin Shaw, causing serious injuries, that could only have been caused by the use of severe force.

“Despite Mr Shaw’s death occurring almost eight weeks after the assault, the Crown Prosecution Service were determined to prove that Marshall and Wadsworth’s actions were a significant factor in his death – the jury agreed and found them both guilty of manslaughter.

“They preyed on Martin Shaw, exploited his vulnerabilities, and ultimately, robbed him of his life.

“I hope as Marshall and Wadsworth face the full consequences of their actions, Mr Shaw’s loved ones can feel some sense of justice.”

How the attack unfolded

On 10 September 2023, Martin Shaw, left his home in Oldham to go to a local shop.

Just before 9.30pm that evening, he was walking back home, along Ashton Road when Marshall and Wadsworth drove past him in Marshall’s Audi car.

The car turned on a side street ahead of Mr Shaw and blocked his path, after a short discussion between the group, Wadsworth got out of the car and forced Mr Shaw into the back, getting into the back with him.

A violent assault was carried out in the car which left Mr Shaw with injuries to his face and eye.

Marshall drove Shaw home, initially driving the wrong way, making it a longer journey than necessary.

The pair then escorted him to his door around 9.50pm and entered the property with him.

CCTV showed that Mr Shaw’s roommate left the property seconds after the three arrived, and he then called the police to report that an assault was taking place.

Mr Shaw’s roommate gave evidence during the trial to say that Marshall came into the house and was shouting, ‘where’s my money’ at Mr Shaw, who was already covered in blood.

He also described Wadsworth shouting, ‘you better give her, her money’. When the roommate tried to speak to Wadsworth, he was assaulted and fled the address.

Marshall and Wadsworth were caught on CCTV leaving Mr Shaw’s address, a couple of minutes after entering.

Police attended shortly after and spoke to Mr Shaw who had visible injuries. He initially said he had been injured having fallen, but later, when his flatmate told the police what had happened, Mr Shaw told officers that he had been beaten but refused to name his attackers.

Later that evening, Mr Shaw became unwell, and he collapsed. Paramedics attended around midnight.

Mr Shaw was treated at the scene and taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital, where he remained until his death on 4 November 2023.

A post-mortem confirmed Mr Shaw died due to the sudden and critical failure of his liver.

Marshall was arrested on 12 September 2023 and interviewed by police the following day, where she claimed that she had simply given Mr Shaw a lift home and heard Wadsworth scuffling with Mr Shaw in the back of the car.

She claimed that she had lent Mr Shaw money in the past but had never threatened him for not paying her back.

Wadsworth was arrested on 22 September 2023. During his police interview, Wadsworth denied forcing Mr Shaw into the back of the car, but accepted that once in the car, he had caused the injury to Mr Shaw's face.

Both went on to plead not guilty to murder and manslaughter and the case proceeded to trial.

Building the case – How we proved manslaughter

In order to prove manslaughter where there is a delay between the inflicted injuries and subsequent death of the victim, the prosecution must be able to show that the death was a result of an unlawful act.

Legally, it wasn’t necessary to prove that Marshall and Wadsworth’s unlawful actions were the sole cause of death, but that their actions significantly contributed to Mr Shaw’s death.

In this case, the Crown Prosecution Service produced expert evidence at trial which confirmed that, whilst Mr Shaw had underlying conditions, the sudden and critical failure of his liver, was triggered, hastened and precipitated by haemorrhage from the injuries to his spleen during the assault. This proved the causal link between the injuries and his death, meaning the injuries inflicted on Mr Shaw were a substantial and operating factor in his death.

The law on causation uses what’s described as the ‘but for’ test. The prosecution must prove that but for the actions of the suspects, the victim would still be alive. In this case, experts were called by the prosecution at trial who all agreed that, but for the injuries sustained in the joint enterprise assault, Mr Shaw would not have died on 4 November 2023 and would in all likelihood be alive now.

Having heard all the evidence during the trial, on 13 November 2025, the jury at Manchester Crown Court, found Marshall and Wadsworth guilty of manslaughter.

They will be sentenced on 22 December 2025.