Two charged with gangmaster offences in Merseyside

Two men have been charged with gangmaster offences in the Merseyside area following an investigation by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA).

Forty-one Romanian workers were found by GLAA officers during a multi-agency operation in March 2018 tackling suspected labour exploitation in Liverpool.

Josh Beesley, 27, of Lockerbie Place, Wigan, and Christopher Beech, 43, of Lilac Court, Congleton, have both been charged with aiding and abetting an unlicensed gangmaster.

Beesley has also been charged with conspiring to commit fraud by abuse of position.

Both appeared at Knowsley Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 14 May where they were charged with the offences.

They are now due to appear before Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday 11 June for a pre-trial preparation hearing.

Proceedings are now active in this case. A video of the operation was released to the media when the arrests were first made. This should not be used under any circumstances until the case is concluded.