Two pensioners kept man as a slave for ten years in conditions so bad he looked like a ‘concentration camp victim’

A COUPLE of pensioners have been found guilty of keeping a man as a SLAVE for ten years at their caravan park after he was found resembling a "concentration camp" victim.

The man, who cannot be identified, was living in squalid conditions "not fit for an animal" before he was rescued by police.

His employers Sidney Smith, 67, and his wife Sally, 65, were taken to civil court by Leicestershire Police who prosecuted them under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

It was heard the slave lived in a caravan that had no hot water or electricity, and that if Mr or Mrs Smith wanted his attention they would dash glass bottles up against the outside walls.

He was also made to work longs hours, looked malnourished, and wore filthy clothing, Leicester County Court heard.

The couple, who run Nevada Park, in Melton Mowbray, Leics, kept the man as a slave for a decade before he was rescued.

After their trial Mr and Mrs Smith were handed risk orders which require them to treat employees humanely.

In his judgement, District Judge Tim Daber said: "Witnesses say that he worked long hours for little or no pay, that he appeared malnourished and gaunt and that he wore dirty and inappropriate clothes.

"The victim himself gave a description of the caravan which led probation officer Chris Barney to conclude that the conditions were such that they were unsuitable for an animal."

The court heard that when neighbours wanted "odd jobs" done they gave Mrs Smith the money and the victim would then carry out the work.

Mr Barney described the victim as "looking gaunt, similar to images of people in concentration camps";.

Steve Plews, vulnerable adults co-ordinator for Melton Borough Council, told the court that on one occasion Mr Smith refused him entry to Nevada Park to see the victim.

PC Lindsey Booth also raised concerns about the Smiths' following a visit to Nevada Park last October and a meeting on the site with a Romanian national.

Judge Daber said: "He was constantly looking round and seemed to be worried about talking to the officer.

"There is a clear inference to be drawn that this person was a potential replacement for the victim.

"I am therefore satisfied that an order is necessary."

Detective Constable Jo Turnbull, who led the investigation for Leicestershire Police,
said: "Thanks to the efforts of a number of agencies - including the probation service, Melton Borough Council and voluntary agencies - it allowed this civil case to come to court.

"We have been able to challenge this behaviour and safeguard future workers at Nevada Park, ensuring no further offences are committed in the future.