Man forced to live in squalid conditions for years, as another jailed in Leicestershire slavery case

A large-scale operation was carried out across Leicestershire in December last year which saw Janos Sztojka and several others arrested.

A man has been jailed for six years after admitting modern slavery and fraud offences following a multi-agency investigation and operation.

Following concerns being raised to police by partner agencies regarding exploitation of workers who were living in Leicestershire and working at a factory in Derbyshire, an investigation was launched.

This led to a large-scale enforcement operation being carried out across Leicestershire in December last year which saw 33-year-old Janos Sztojka and several others arrested.

Five victims were identified during the investigation with safeguarding measures put in place.

Enquiries found it had been arranged for men from Hungary to come over to the UK with the promise of good pay. However the men did not receive their wages or were paid a fraction of what they had earned.

An investigation, which involved a number of partner agencies, found that Sztojka had arranged for the victims to work at the factory in Derbyshire, making himself the point of contact for the men and to assist with translation. He also set up accounts for the men to be paid into and placed them in accommodation in Leicestershire.

Sztojka, who was in the UK in contravention of a deportation order, used the money paid into the accounts to fund his own lifestyle. He set up bank accounts in the names of the victims and then used these accounts to carry out fraudulent activity including taking out loans or siphoning money.

Further enquiries showed that one of the victims had also been made to live with Sztojka in poor conditions for several years, reporting to police that he was forced to sleep without a bed in a downstairs room along with the family dogs, was not allowed to use the toilet or shower - instead being forced to use the garden - and was shouted at or slapped if he refused to do something.

A stun gun was also found at Sztojka’s home which had been used against the victim.

Yesterday (10th August) he was sentenced to six years in jail and a ten-year slavery and trafficking prevention order. He had pleased guilty to ten counts, including four counts of trafficking another person with a view to exploitation, money laundering, fraud, and forced labour. 

Officer in the case, Detective Constable Daljinder Gill said: “This was a full team investigation involving a number of partner agencies working together following an allegation which had been made.

“The investigation had to be handled carefully and sensitively in order to ensure the victims of this offence were safeguarded and that the full scale of the crime which the defendant had committed could be proved.

“Thanks to the dedicated work of all of the team involved, Sztojka has had to admit his actions in court and his exploitation of vulnerable victims.

“I would like to recognise the bravery and co-operation of the victims in this case who have helped us massively to ensure this successful prosecution as well as those who provided information in relation to the offending which led to the initial investigation.

“Modern slavery unfortunately remains very much ongoing across the UK today. We urge people to be aware, to spot the signs and to report any suspicions they have to us. Signs include long labour hours, chaperoning, lack of personal possessions, malnutrition, and abuse. Anyone who is a victim of modern slavery should also report to us. Full support and safeguarding will be provided to you and we will take action to bring offenders to justice.”