Romanian man sentenced for modern slavery offences

A Romanian man who exploited a vulnerable worker by bringing him to the UK and controlling his wages has been sentenced at Bolton Crown Court. 

Nelu Nechita, 53, pleaded guilty to an offence under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 of “arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation” when he appeared before Bolton Crown Court in May 2023. 

When he appeared before the same court on 19 February he was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months. The judge also imposed 200 hours of Community Service, a 20 day Rehabilitation Order and a 5 year Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Order.

Nechita was arrested by officers from the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) during an operation with Greater Manchester Police and the Department for Work and Pensions in February 2019. 

Enquiries by the GLAA found that Nechita had offered to find work for the victim in the UK and paid for his travel from Romania. 

Along with the victim and a number of other workers, Nechita found employment at a chicken processing factory in North Wales. Nechita transported the victim and other workers to the factory from his home address in Oldham. 

Nechita controlled the victim's payment card and PIN number. He would regularly use the card to take cash out of the victim’s bank account, at ATMs across Oldham. The victim had no access to his wages and received just £280 from Nechita for six weeks of work at the factory.

Throughout the case the victim, a Romanian man in his 40's has been supported by the GLAA. 

GLAA Senior Enforcement Investigator Mike Heyes said “this type of exploitation is all too common. Exploiters trick vulnerable workers into coming to the UK with the promise of a good job and better life. The reality is that they end up becoming trapped in a cycle of debt, unable to escape.

“At the GLAA our primary aim is to stop worker exploitation. If you have any information about workers being exploited, please get in touch and report your concerns."

If you have information that someone is being exploited for their labour, contact the GLAA by emailing intelligence@gla.gov.uk or by using the online reporting form.

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