AT ITS height, UK Fast was one of the biggest firms in the country.
The internet hosting company - the brainchild of wife-husband duo Lawrence and Gail Jones - was making a fortune and had a huge workforce.
The firm, which boasted thousands of clients, promoted a close working relationship between employees. Its motto read: "Your future is our business." What started in a spare bedroom became a true business powerhouse.
Based on Princess Parkway, just outside Manchester city centre in Hulme, its complex had a massive slide from the top floor to reception, with bean bags at the bottom.
The perks were seemingly non-stop. Staff were treated to a free gym and a games room, as well as private medical insurance. 'Beer Fridays' were a regular, celebrated event. There were summer festivals - UKFest - held at the couple's home.
Workers were taken on team bonding trips. Some members of staff were given access to the couple's ski chalet.
To an outsider, it appeared the perfect place for a young professional to further their career. But multi-millionaire tech tycoon Lawrence Jones one of the north west's best-known entrepreneurs - walked those floors with a dark secret.
The bombastic business 'guru' was a rapist who hadn't yet faced justice, having carried out two attacks in the late 1990s. He 'stupefied' two young women with drugs before attacking them at his Salford flat.
Before he became a millionaire, sleazy Jones spoke to beautiful young women while he was a pianist playing in topend hotels across Manchester like the Octagon Lounge at The Midland. The former chorister liked to give them the impression he was going places.
The married father, who has four daughters, went on to build an empire.
He was a mentor to young people, rubbed shoulders with business - and actual - royalty and political bigwigs.
But the awful truth was later finally revealed and his world crumbled.
Denne historien er fra November 26, 2023-utgaven av MEN on Sunday.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 26, 2023-utgaven av MEN on Sunday.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Pep admits: We could not handle Cherries
PEP Guardiola said that City were not 'clean' enough to cope with Bournemouth as they suffered their first Premier League defeat for 11 months.
United chiefs told me it was now or never
New Reds coach says he asked to stay at Sporting Lisbon until the end of the season, but he was given Old Trafford ultimatum
Curzon boss Craig wants more magic moments in cup
EVEN guiding his team to a shock victory over Mansfield would be unlikely to usurp Craig Mahon's favourite FA Cup memory.
Any encounter with wild nature is memorable in some way
COMEDIAN AND FORMER STRICTLY WINNER BILL BAILEY TALKS TO PRUDENCE WADE ABOUT THE ANIMALS THAT HAVE SHAPED HIS LIFE
Drink-drive firefighter 'haunted by tragedies
Single mum who was almost three times limit is handed fine
Doubt over promised cash for North transport plans
TWO major transport projects in the North of England have been thrown into doubt after Rachel Reeves failed to commit to funding pledges made by the previous Conservative government.
Law change could end out-of-area taxis issue
TAXIS licensed by Wolverhampton council could be BANNED from working in Greater Manchester with a proposed law change.
How a quiet night in lab changed science
Miracle material created in city is 200 times stronger than steel
'As long as Barry can see pals at the pub, he'll be OK ra
Dad's devastating MND diagnosis
The chilly reception to exit of Iceland
How the closure of suburb's last cheap shop' symbolises a change that some residents would prefer hadn't happened