Romanian man pleads guilty to modern slavery offence

A Romanian man has admitted exploiting a vulnerable worker by bringing him to the UK and controlling his wages.

Nelu Nechita pleaded guilty to an offence under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 of arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation when he appeared before Bolton Crown Court on Tuesday May 9.

The 52-year-old, now of Altmore Avenue, London, will be sentenced at the same court on Monday June 26.

Nechita was arrested by officers from the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) during an operation with Greater Manchester Police and the Department for Work and Pensions in February 2019.

Investigations by the GLAA revealed Nechita had offered to find the victim work in the UK and paid for his travel from Romania.

Nechita, the victim, and a number of other workers found employment at a chicken processing factory in North Wales. All were transported to and from the site by Nechita from his home address in Oldham.

He also took control of the victim’s payment card and PIN number and would regularly cash out the card at ATMs across Oldham. The victim never saw his wages, receiving just £280 from Nechita for six weeks of work at the factory.

During that period, wages totalling more than £1800 were paid into his account.

The victim, a Romanian man in his 40s, has been supported by the GLAA throughout the case.

GLAA Senior Investigating Officer Martin Plimmer said: “The victim left Romania with the promise of a job and better life in the UK but instead was ruthlessly exploited by Nechita for his own financial gain.

“The only money the victim ever had was totally controlled by Nechita and as a result he was trapped in unfamiliar surroundings with no obvious way of escaping.

“Sadly this method of exploitation is not uncommon. As an intelligence-led organisation, we rely on your help to spot the signs of labour exploitation and most importantly to report your concerns to us.”

If you have information that someone is being exploited for their labour, contact the GLAA by emailing intelligence@gla.gov.uk or by using the online reporting form.

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