Third family member handed Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order

A third family member suspected of exploiting vulnerable workers has had tough restrictions imposed on them following investigations by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA).

Doncaster Magistrates’ Court granted an application by the GLAA for an interim Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order (STRO) against Teodora Dinu on Wednesday January 13.

This order mirrors a joint STRO handed out by the same court to her daughter Mihaela Dinu, 23, and son-in-law Florin-Ciprian Dinu, 21, in August 2020.

The civil order means that the 44-year-old is bound by several strict restrictions which, if breached, will result in criminal prosecution.

Conditions set out in the STRO prohibit Dinu, of Gladstone Road, Doncaster, from arranging travel or transport into England for anyone other than her immediate family, including for work.

Dinu is also prevented from arranging or helping to find employment for anyone other than herself, possessing, controlling or using someone’s bank card without their permission, and renting or sub-letting any accommodation she owns to anyone other than her immediate family.

The remaining conditions forbid her from procuring, coercing or instructing anyone else to carry out the restrictions set out above on her behalf.

In granting the STRO, the judge said that it was necessary to prevent potential modern slavery and human trafficking offences, particularly if workers continued to be housed at the address.

The order is in place until a trial for the full STRO is held later in the year.

GLAA Senior Investigating Officer Dave Powell said: “Despite the previous restrictions imposed last year, we remained concerned that there was a danger of potential victims being trafficked to and exploited for their labour.

“The approval of a second STRO as part of our investigations will provide additional safeguards significantly reducing the risk of labour abuse.

“At the GLAA, we are always looking to see how we can improve the way we protect vulnerable workers and prevent exploitation. Where prosecutions are not immediately viable, we can use STROs to monitor the activity of individuals and ensure that any breaches are detected and dealt with appropriately.

“We will keep these orders under regular review and will not hesitate to take further action if we find evidence that they are not being fully adhered to. With regards to the judge’s specific reference to the premises being used to accommodate workers, we will ensure with our partners that the order is being complied with.”

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

If you suspect someone is being exploited for their labour, contact the GLAA’s intelligence team on 0800 4320804 or email intelligence@gla.gov.uk.

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