Couple handed Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order

A couple suspected by investigators of exploiting a vulnerable worker have been handed a Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order (STRO).

Nottingham Magistrates’ Court approved the application from the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) for a two-year order against Laura Ruster, 29, and Adrian-Marian Danciu, 23, at a hearing on Monday February 14.

GLAA officers acted after receiving intelligence indicating that the defendants had encouraged a man to travel with them to the UK from their native Romania with the promise of work and accommodation.

However, the alleged victim was reported to have had his movements restricted by the couple and his weekly wages paid into one of the defendant’s bank accounts.

The civil order places seven prohibitions on the couple, who must follow all the conditions on the STRO or face criminal prosecution. They are imposed on individuals who pose a risk of committing modern slavery offences in the future, to protect potential victims from harm, and to deter unlawful and harmful activity.

Ruster and Danciu must not attempt to interfere with due process by approaching the complainant or witnesses named in the application, with the intention of getting them to change the testimony they have already given.

The order prevents the couple from arranging anyone’s travel into, out of, or within the UK, other than for themselves or their immediate family.

They also must not arrange either travel or transport of anyone to work, again other than for themselves or immediate family members.

The defendants are prevented of renting or sub-letting any property or rooms controlled by them or any other accommodation which is owned, controlled, or rented by them, other than to immediate family.

Ruster and Danciu, of Chadwick Road, Nottingham, must inform the GLAA of any changes of address and provide full details of any new address within one week of that move, including information about anyone they are living with.

They are also required to allow the GLAA at any reasonable time to enter their address to allow officers to check that the conditions of the order are being fully complied with.

The final condition prohibits the couple from engaging or coercing anyone else to act in such a manner on their behalf.

GLAA Investigating Officer Dave Stockdale said: “This is the second STRO we have secured in Nottinghamshire and they are one of a number of tools at our disposal to protect communities from labour exploitation.

“The order imposed by court serves to protect vulnerable workers from slavery and trafficking and this is something our agency takes extremely seriously.

“We expect complete co-operation with the order and will closely monitor the conditions to ensure they are being fully complied with.”

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

If you have information that someone has been trafficked to the UK for the purposes of labour exploitation, 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.