‘Slavery victim’ rescued after 40 years living in shed

A SUSPECTED victim of modern slavery has been rescued from a garden shed where he has lived for more than 40 years.

The 58-year-old was found at a mobile home site north of Carlisle in Cumbria in a dawn raid yesterday by officers from the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority.

The suspected victim was taken by specialist trauma officers to be medically examined. A 79-year-old man has been arrested.

In a statement, the authority added: “Modern slavery exists in a whole range of forms across the UK. If you suspect someone is being exploited or abused, please do not hesitate to get in contact with us.”

The raid took place at Hadrian’s

Camp at Houghton.

Martin Plimmer, senior investigating officer with the authority, said he had never heard of a case where the victim had been captive for so long.

Mr Plimmer said: “The initial report was that he had been there for 40 years and that appears at this stage to be the case.”