Modern Slavery | Nottingham Crown Court | Kangs Criminal Defence Solicitors
Eleven defendants have recently been convicted and sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court for offences of modern day slavery and fraud.
The Police Investigation | Kangs National Serious Crime Solicitors
The investigation, involving the Rooney Family, was conducted by Lincolnshire Police as part of ‘Operation Pottery’ and is reported as being one of the largest of its kind.
Following the execution of warrants, a number of victims, all described as vulnerable adults, were rescued from Drinsey Nook where they had been forcefully retained in broken down, ill equipped and dirty caravans.
They had all been forced to work in businesses that the Rooney Family ran; usually for every day of the week in all weather conditions.
The victims, who were, in general, homeless, dependent on alcohol or suffering mental health problems had been lured by the Rooney family into their control by the promises of work, shelter, food and money.
The UK Human Trafficking Centre concluded that eighteen men had been illegally brought under the control of the Rooney family.
Court Sentencing | Kangs National Serious Crime Team
At the sentencing hearing, Judge Spencer noted “sometimes payment was not monetary but by cheap cider which promoted a dependency on alcohol, which provided another means of control over them.” The victims lived in constant fear of violence and due to this would not leave.
The head of the family, Martin Rooney, convicted of wounding and conspiracy to require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour, was sentenced to 10 years and 9 months imprisonment.
The other family members who were convicted received lengthy custodial sentences, and, in total, the family have been jailed for a total of seventy nine years.
The Law | Kangs People Trafficking & Abuse Defence Solicitors
The Modern Slavery Act 2015:
- creates a number of new offences,
- consolidates previous slavery and trafficking offences,
- introduces a higher level of penalties for those convicted of such offences and
- enables recovery under the Proceeds Of Crimes Act 2002
For more information on the Modern Slavery Act 2015, please see the link to the previous article by Sukhdip Randhawa of Kangs Solicitors.
How Can We Help? | Kangs Criminal Defence Solicitors
If you have been arrested, or are facing allegations of the nature described above, Kangs Solicitors are able to offer a wealth of experience gained by defending clients accused of the most serious and grave crimes.
We have a successful serious crime department with a team of solicitors dedicated to defending allegations of this nature.
We are recognised as a leading firm in the field of criminal law.We are ranked by the leading legal journal, Chambers & Partners, as a Band 1 firm.
If you have been invited to attend an interview with the Police or the National Crime Agency we can provide a specialist Solicitor to represent you.
Who Do I Need To Contact For Assistance? | Kangs Serious Crime Team
Should you wish to discuss anything in relation to your case, please do not hesitate to contact one of the following for an initial consultation:
Sukhdip Randhawa
srandhawa@kangssolicitors.co.uk
0121 449 9888 | 020 7936 6396
John Veale
jveale@kangssolicitors.co.uk
0121 449 9888 | 020 7936 6396
Helen Holder
hholder@kangssolicitors.co.uk
020 7936 6396 | 0121 449 9888
Nazaqat Maqsoom
nmaqsoom@kangssolicitors.co.uk
0121 449 9888 | 020 7936 6396
