Court imposes 10-year slavery order on husband and wife

A husband and wife suspected of exploiting a vulnerable worker have been handed a 10-year slavery order.

Derby Magistrates’ Court approved the application from the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) for a Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order (STRO) against Julius Budo and Maria Budova at a hearing on Monday November 7.

GLAA investigators acted after receiving intelligence that the couple had been potentially exploiting a worker since 2018.

The order prevents the Slovakian nationals from arranging anyone’s travel into or out of England other than for immediate family members. They must also not arrange either travel or transport of anyone to work, again other than for their immediate family.

Budo, 62, and Budova, 58, must not arrange or assist in finding employment for anyone other than themselves and are prevented from using another person’s bank card or PIN without their permission.

The STRO forbids them from renting or sub-letting any property or rooms controlled by them to anyone other than immediate family members.

They must also not possess, control or use anyone else’s identity documents.

The pair are prevented from procuring, coercing or instructing anyone else to carry out any of the restrictions listed above on their behalf.

Budo and Budova must allow officers from the GLAA or police entry into their accommodation to ensure the STRO is being fully complied with.

They must also notify the GLAA before they travel outside of the UK or change their name or address.

Budo and Budova, of Osmaston Park Road, Derby, were not in court to contest the order which is in place until 2032.

GLAA Investigating Officer Dale Walker said: “We were pleased to see that our application was approved for such a significant period of time, allowing us to monitor the couple for the next 10 years.

“STROs have become a really valuable tool for the GLAA in our efforts to tackle modern slavery, labour abuse and human trafficking. They protect communities from harm and provide additional safeguards to substantially reduce the risk of a slavery or trafficking offence taking place.

“As with our existing STROs, we will robustly police the order and will not hesitate to take further action if any of the conditions are not being followed.”

Breaching an order is a criminal offence carrying a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Anyone with information about potential forced labour or labour exploitation offences should contact the GLAA’s intelligence team on 0800 4320804 or by emailing intelligence@gla.gov.uk.

Alternatively, call the Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline on 08000 121 700 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.