Daily Express

Trafficker­s partied while victims locked in cellars

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the SLOVAKIAN Brothers Roman and Marian Rafael funded a champagne lifestyle on the misery of slavery in Newcastle upon Tyne. The pair partied, drove luxury cars and gambled thousands of pounds in casinos. When investigat­ors raided their houses they found slaves locked in the cellars. The Rafaels had imprisoned their victims after “buying” them for £200 objectives is the provision of greater support for child victims and a system for delivering victims compensati­on.

A spokesman at the DWP said: “The Modern Slavery Act, which is the first of its kind in the world, has helped to transform the UK’s response to modern slavery on a national and internatio­nal scale.

“This Act provides police and law enforcemen­t agencies with the powers they need to bring perpetrato­rs of this vile crime to in Bratislava. They were sent out to work, while benefits were claimed in their names.

The claims left a paper trail which DWP investigat­ors were able to unravel.

Roman Rafael, 33, and Marian, 39, admitted conspiracy to traffic people and causing forced labour.

Roman’s wife Angelica Chec, 30, and Marian’s wife, Ruzena Rafaelova, 37, were convicted of the same charges. The gang received jail terms of up to 10 years. justice, and enhances the protection given to victims. “Since its introducti­on there have been more than 350 prosecutio­ns and 130 conviction­s for modern slavery and human traffickin­g. “There are strict eligibilit­y rules and checks in place when someone makes a claim to benefits. “People have to prove their eligibilit­y, identity, address, their right to reside in the UK and their right to claim benefits.” Earlier this year, the Home

 ??  ?? Ruzena Rafaelova, left, and Angelica Chec were also guilty
Ruzena Rafaelova, left, and Angelica Chec were also guilty
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