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Former loan shark promises he won't return to old life
BY ALASDAIR BELLING
Infamous former loan shark Tim 'Sharky' Ward has returned to the Gold Coast after more than a decade in Thailand but says he wants no part of the Glitter Strip lifestyle.
The former money lender, ex-nightclub owner and self-confessed one-time steroid user has confirmed he has moved back to the Gold Coast from the Thai resort town of Pattaya.
Ward said his return was prompted by the "devastating impacts of Covid-19" in Thailand but insisted he had left his former Glitter Strip lifestyle behind.
I'll never be part of that again. It was a part of my life, but it's gone now — I just want to chill out, ride my dirt bikes and relax.
  TIM 'SHARKY' WARD
“
The Kiwi native turned heads recently when he posted a picture of himself revealing a body shape vastly different to the muscle-bound frame he was known for.
Ward said his new-found love of dirt bike riding inspired his weight loss through intermittent fasting.
Picture: Facebook
You can't be 120 kgs and go out into the bush on a bike — you ride about a kilometre and then you gas out. I want to get to 110kg but I just can't do it because of my big Kiwi bones.
  TIM 'SHARKY' WARD
“
Ward originally went to Thailand in 2009 following rumours the Australian Federal Police were investigating his activities. There he became known as the 'Shark of Pattaya' and developed a cult-following among locals.
Picture: Facebook
Despite Ward's past run ins with the law, a former acquaintance believed his daily ritual of feeding stray dogs in Thailand proved he was a compassionate soul.
Picture: Facebook
He gained quite a reputation with those stories of him looking after dogs on the Thai streets. That was a really big focus of his life over there.
  TIM 'SHARKY' WARD ACQUAINTANCE
“
Ward moved to the Gold Coast in 1990 where he earned a reputation as a cutthroat businessman and feared money lender, charging 200 per cent interest on certain loans.
In 2002, he claimed the Office of Fair Trading or Queensland Police had set him up during a Supreme Court civil case against his loan business. He lost and was fined $270,000 and ordered to pay up to $100,000 in court costs.
Despite his colourful history, Ward insisted to the Bulletin he's had nothing to do with the underworld.
I've never smoked a joint, I've never snorted cocaine, I've never dealt drugs and if I know someone taking drugs then I don't want anything to do with them.
  TIM 'SHARKY' WARD 
“
Producer: Andrew Piva
Swipe up to read more about the life of Tim 'Sharky' Ward.																																								

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