56-year-old Peter Swailes Junior of Cryndlbeck Stables, Low Harker, Carlisle has pleaded guilty to exploiting a vulnerable worker, who he held captive for 40 years in a tiny 6ft freezing shed.
The victim who is now in his early 60s, lived the biggest part of his life living in a dark small wooden shed at Hadrian’s Caravan Park, north of Carlisle.
Swailes pleaded guilty to a modern slavery offence at Carlisle Crown Court yesterday January 18. He was originally charged alongside his father who died before standing trial. They both previously pleaded not guilty to conspiring to arrange or facilitate the travel of an individual between 2015 and 2019 with a view to him being exploited.
The charges followed a three-year investigation by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), supported by Cumbria Police and the National Crime Agency (NCA). Upon being arrested, Peter Swailes Senior was quoted saying “not all this slavery thing again” by cops.
Investigators carried out a search warrant at Hadrian’s Caravan Park on October 3, 2018 and discovered the small green wooden shed next to the caravan. They found there was no heating in the cramped shed, with a soiled duvet on the floor and a metered television.
They knocked on the door and were greeted by the victim who appeared dishevelled and agitated before telling officers he had lived there for 40 years.
The victim then asked if he could have a wash, indicating that he washed in a kitchen sink in a building next to his shed, the GLLA said. The Authority say the shed was in a ‘poor’ condition with just one window which could not be fully closed. It was in complete darkness when the doors were shut.
An old electric heater with damaged wiring was discarded in the corner of the shed, and there was no other heating inside, they said.
By contrast, officers noted that another shed on site used for the family dog to sleep in was in a far better state, the GLLA say.
During an interview, the victim said he worked on the farms and said was paid as little as £10 per day.
Swailes Junior was arrested in April 2019 and was later charged alongside his father. He has been released on bail and is set to appear in court for sentencing on February 4.
Senior Investigating Officer Martin Plimmer said;
“First and foremost in my mind at this time though is the victim. Let’s remember that he has been exploited for all his adult life up until just a few years ago.
“He is now in his early 60s. This is something that even now I struggle to comprehend.
“For four decades, he was in effect kept as a slave.”
The victim has been accepted into the government’s National Referral Mechanism (NRM) and now lives in supported accommodation outside of Cumbria.
GLAA Senior Investigating Officer Martin Plimmer added;
“This has been a really harrowing investigation.
“In all my years in law enforcement, I have never known a modern slavery case where the exploitation has taken place over such a long period of time.
“It is pleasing to see that Swailes has finally done the right thing and pleaded guilty.
“I would like to pay tribute to the dedication and professionalism of my investigators in dealing with what has been a very complex investigation, one that has thrown up numerous challenges along the way.
“We are sadly all too aware of the fact that [the victim] will be traumatised by his experience for the rest of his life.
“I am committed to ensuring he continues to have the regular, consistent support he needs which allows him to lead as normal a life as he can in the circumstances.”
