Slave-exploiting benefits scam family will be jailed
A FAMILY of travellers who used slaves bought for £200 to con hundreds of thousands of pounds in benefits were told they will be jailed.
The Slovakian Rafael family kept starving men and women in appalling conditions.
Ringleader Roman Rafael, 33, and his girlfriend Angelica Chec, 29, were at the centre of the operation to bring nine slaves to the UK.
The victims were mainly homeless people from Slovakia and the Czech Republic, brought to the UK with promises of a better life. They were kept in squalor in Newcastle, fed out-ofdate food in dank cellars.
They were sent to work in gruelling jobs but the family kept their wages and benefits, splashing out on holidays, cars and jewellery.
One of the slaves, who cannot be identified, told Teesside crown court: “We were fed bits of potato and goulash that was after its expiry date. They said if I tried to escape my throat would be cut or I would be thrown in the sea.”
Roman Rafael, 33, and Marian Rafael, 39, admitted conspiracy to traffick for exploitation, money laundering and forced labour.
Angelika Chec, 29, Ruzena Rafaelova Jr, 37, Juraj Rafael, 38, and a 17-year-old were convicted of the same charges.
Ruzena Rafaelova Sr, 57, was convicted of forced labour and money laundering.
Judge Peter Armstrong told them: “Custodial sentences are inevitable. Only the length of those sentences will be a matter for mitigation.” They will be sentenced on April 27.