Traveller family are convicted of slavery

Members of a traveller family have been convicted of running a modern slavery ring which kept one of its captives in “truly shocking” conditions for decades.

Vulnerable people were forced to work for the Rooney clan for little or no wages, while their paymasters lived a life of lavish luxury.

The 11 gang-members, convicted of fraud and slavery charges, enjoyed holidays to Barbados and cosmetic surgery off the backs of their workers.

Operating from sites in Lincolnshire, they targetedvictimswhowerehomeless, had learning disabilities or complex drug and alcohol issues.

The men, aged 18 to 63, were freed after raids by Lincolnshire Police and the National Crime Agency, carried out in 2014.

One of the victims was found to have been working for the family for 26 years.

It was through false promises, drugs, alcohol and violence, family members made sure they kept their victims “financiallytrapped” and under total control.

Members of the family would go looking for victims on the streets, in hostels and shelters, offering work for food and accommodation.