AN Evesham woman has been charged as part of an investigation into modern slavery.
A group of Polish nationals living in the West Midlands have appeared in court charged with modern slavery offences as part of a West Midlands Police investigation into human trafficking.
The group include Julianna Chodakiewicz, 22, from Saxonbury in Evesham, who is originally from Grueziadz in Poland.
It’s alleged the six men and three women charged exploited more than 80 people − controlling bank accounts in their names and stealing wages − after trafficking them from their home country from 2014.
All nine have been charged with conspiracy to force people into labour, conspiracy to traffic people with a view to exploitation, and conspiracy to acquire criminal property.
Also charged are Justyna Parcewska 47 from Beechwood Road in West Bromwich, Marek Brzezinski, 48 from Lindley Avenue in Tipton,Dawid Kasperowicz, 27 from Waterside Street in West Bromwich, Natalia Zmuda 27 from Canute Close in Walsall, Marek Chowaniec, 29 from Mount Street in Walsall, Jan Sadowski, 26 from Dartmouth Street in West Bromwich, Ignacy Brzezinski 52 from Beechwood Road in West Bromwich and Wojciech Nowakowski, 41 from James Turner Street in Winson Green.
They appeared at Birmingham Magistrates Court on Monday and Tuesday and remanded into custody ahead of their next appearance at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday December 5.
Anyone who suspects people are being exploited or forced into labour in their community is urged to call West Midlands Police on 101 or contact the anti-slavery charity Hope for Justice or call 0300 008 8000.
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