Men stand trial on slavery charges
TWO men are to stand trial next year accused of slavery crimes.
Robert McPhee, 65, and John Miller, 37, are charged with forcing a number of men to live in “squalid conditions” while making them work for little or no money.
The allegations emerged as the pair – along with James McPhee, 44, and Steven McPhee, 36, – appeared for a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.
The indictment features 30 charges spanning between 1993 and 2016.
Three men are said to have been held in “slavery and servitude” at a piggery in Shotts, South Lanarkshire.
Robert McPhee alone is firstly alleged to have held one against his will on various occasions between 2011 and 2014.
The accusation includes claims the individual was made to stay in “squalid living condi- tions” under McPhee’s control and that he was not allowed to leave.
It is further stated he was forced to do work “for little or no pay” and threatened with violence if he did not do it.
Miller is then alleged to have joined Robert McPhee in similar crimes against the two other men.
One of the individuals is said to have been held between 2011 and 2012 while the latter was allegedly forced to work in late 2016.
One of these accusations is under the Human Trafficking and Exploitation Act.
Other allegations in the seven-page indictment in- clude assault and abduction. One of these charges claims Robert McPhee and James McPhee detained a man against his will and attacked him at a time between 1999 and 2006.
It includes accusations the individual was left in a shed for three days and that James McPhee forced an eight-year old boy to pour petrol over him.
A naked flame is then said to have been brandished at him.
Lawyers for all four accused yesterday pleaded not guilty on their behalf.
Judge Lady Rae set a trial due to begin next January. The case is expected to last several weeks.