‘Slave’ held for 40 yrs in shed

A MAN was rescued yesterday after allegedly being kept as a slave while living in a tiny shed for 40 years.

Police and labour-abuse specialists raided a site near Carlisle before dawn following an anonymous tip-off to a confidential hotline.

They found a 58-year-old British man who said he had lived in the 6ft shed since his teens.

The hovel contained just a chair and soiled bedding.

Last night a 79-year-old man was under arrest on suspicion of slavery offences.

Martin Plimmer of the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, whose officers took part in the swoop on a residential site, said: “When we found the 58-year-old he was like a rabbit in headlights and very confused.

Cold

“He was just in the clothes he stood up in and where he was sleeping in the shed there was just a soiled duvet on the floor.

“There was no heating and it was very cold. It was conditions that no human being should live in.”

Mr Plimmer said the man appeared to have been forced to carry out unpaid work since 16 or 17.

The raid followed a tip-off that the man had been held in the shed for 40 years.

Mr Plimmer added: “He has been traumatised for such a length of time that it will be a slow process to win back his trust.”

The victim was taken by specialist trauma officers to be medically examined and assessed.

Housing officials are also investigating.

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