By Lucy Caulkett-
The largest-ever modern slavery ring uncovered in the UK has been penetrated after a three-year investigation into its activities. Some of its 400 victims worked for as little as 50p a day.
Their criminal gang led by a Polish family earned millions , mercilessly exploited the homeless, ex-prisoners and alcoholics from Poland. Gang members were jailed on Friday. Three people were today sentenced as part of the UK’s largest ever modern slavery prosecution. Ignacy Brzezinski, 53, Wojciech Nowakowski, 42, and Jan Sadowski, 29 were today convicted of charges relating to multiple counts of human trafficking into and within the UK, forced labour and money laundering at Birmingham Crown Court.
Brzezinski was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment, Nowakowski to 6 and a half years, and Sadowski to 3 years. The conviction comes following the second trial under Operation Fort, said to be the largest case to go to prosecution under modern slavery legislation in the UK, and one of the largest ever labour exploitation prosecutions in Europe.
The gang deceived and trafficked a range of vulnerable men and women, between the ages of 17 to over 60, with the promise of gainful employment but instead housed them in squalor and used them as what a judge described as “commodities”.
Under Operation Fort, 88 alleged victims provided statements, with many others identified as potential victims. Victims were largely vulnerable Polish nationals lured to the UK by an organised crime group with offers of work, free or subsidised accommodation, food and travel.
Upon their arrival in the UK, victims were housed in very poor accommodation and given little, sometimes expired, food. They were made to claim benefits, which were siphoned by the group, and forced to work for as little as £10 a week. The group kept the victims’ bank cards and Polish identity cards, or copies of them, to prevent them from leaving, and threatened or assaulted those who suggested it.
Following the sentencing, Solicitor General Lucy Frazer QC MP said:
“Eradicating modern slavery in the UK is a government priority and I welcome the conviction of this modern slavery ring which took advantage of vulnerable people for their own gain. The CPS and West Midlands Police must be commended for their commitment to eradicating modern slavery in the UK via the criminal justice system.”