Man admits exploiting victim 'kept as slave' in shed for 40 years, police say
The victim, then in his late 50s, told police he worked on farms, painting, slating and tarmacking, and was paid as little as £10 per day.
Wednesday 19 January 2022 00:48, UK
A man has admitted exploiting a victim who was "kept as a slave" in a 6ft shed in Cumbria for 40 years, according to police.
Peter Swailes, 56, pleaded guilty at Carlisle Crown Court on Tuesday before his modern slavery trial was due to begin.
He had previously denied conspiring with his father, also Peter Swailes, 81, to arrange or facilitate the travel of an individual between 2015 and 2019 with a view to him being exploited.
His father pleaded not guilty to the same charge but died last year before standing trial.
Victim paid as little as £10 a day
Investigators carried out a search warrant at a caravan park near Carlisle on 3 October 2018.
As their continued their searches, they knocked on the door of the shed and the victim, then in his late 50s, opened the door.
The cramped structure had no heating, a soiled duvet on the floor and a metered television.
The man told police he worked on farms, painting, slating and tarmacking, and was paid as little as £10 per day.
He appeared dishevelled and agitated as he informed them he had been living there for four decades.
He then asked if he could have a wash, indicating that he washed in a kitchen sink in a building next to his shed.
The shed was in a poor condition, especially compared to another shed on site used for the family dog to sleep in, police said.
After his rescue, the man received specialist help and now lives in supported accommodation.
The shed was next to a static caravan, where the older Peter Swailes was arrested and responded by saying: "Not this slavery thing again."
During the course of the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority's investigations, it became clear that Swailes's son was suspected of the same offences and he was arrested in April 2019.
GLAA senior investigating officer Martin Plimmer said the three-year investigation has been "really harrowing".
"In all my years in law enforcement, I have never known a modern slavery case where the exploitation has taken place over such a long period of time," he said.
He said he was pleased that Swailes has "finally done the right thing" and said the victim is "first and foremost" in his mind.
"Let's remember that he has been exploited for all his adult life up until just a few years ago," he said.
"He is now in his early 60s.
"This is something that even now I struggle to comprehend.
"For four decades, he was in effect kept as a slave.
"We are sadly all too aware of the fact that he will be traumatised by his experience for the rest of his life."
Swailes, of Low Harker, Carlisle, was bailed until sentencing on 4 February.