Members of an organised crime group which trafficked victims from Slovakia into Leeds have been sentenced to a total of over 24 years.
Between 2007 and 2013, members of the Cisar family coaxed a number of Slovakian men and women to travel to the north of England with the promise of better work and better lives. Several of the victims were homeless when they were lured to Leeds for work.
The Cisar family, along with Aurunngzeb Naseem and Mohammed Naseem, exploited the victims when they arrived, making them renovate and clean properties in return for pitiful wages – in one case, around £4 a day.
When the victims arrived, bank accounts were set up for them but they were forced to hand over account details, cards and PIN codes. The gang would then keep their wages for themselves, while also claiming benefits in their victims’ names.
One victim was paid just £3,000 for work over a three to four-year period.
The gang were convicted following a ten-week trial at Leeds Crown Court.
David Holderness from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “These victims were promised a better life in England with safety, security, and decent wages. Instead they found themselves living in a nightmare, being forced to work for next to nothing, and housed in very poor conditions while others exploited them without a single thought for their wellbeing.
“Exploitation was a lucrative family business for the Cisars. They lived comfortably off the forced labour of others, who they deliberately targeted knowing their victims were desperate to improve their lives.
“The victims were lured to this country, isolated by their inability to speak English, and intimidated into becoming a source of cheap labour. The CPS is immensely grateful for their support of this prosecution as without their testimony, both in person and by video evidence, today’s convictions would not be possible.”
City presents Windrush pioneer with prestigious Leeds Award
More Than 10,000 Arrests Made By Team Dedicated To Reducing Violent Crime
Plate expectations as historic registration could be up for sale
Calderdale: Celebrating over 350 years of service at Council
Activists who caused £100,000 worth of damage sentenced
Appeal Following Collision and Death of Man in Otley, Leeds
Vehicle involved in fly tipping across West and North Yorkshire seized by Bradford Council
Anti-social behaviour funding boost in Clitheroe, Colne and Darwen
Leeds City Council to launch review on taxi vehicle condition standards
Man Named After Fatal Road Traffic Collision, Leeds Road, Bradford
Over £4,000 raised for Mental Health Charity in Bradford
Remix Saturdays
The Golden Era
Alim OnAir
Bhangra Nights