Two men admit gangmaster offences in Merseyside

Two men have admitted helping an illegal gangmaster following investigations by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA).

Josh Beesley and Christopher Beech both pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting an unlicensed gangmaster when they appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on the morning of Tuesday 11 June.

Beesley also admitted conspiring to commit fraud by abuse of position.

The pair were charged last month with the offences in connection with a multi-agency operation carried out in Liverpool.

Forty-one Romanian workers were found by the GLAA during the operation in March 2018 which was organised to tackle suspected labour exploitation.

Beesley, 27, of Lockerbie Place, Wigan, and Beech, 43, of Lilac Court, Congleton, have both been bailed to appear before Liverpool Crown Court on Monday 22 July for sentencing.

Proceedings are 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.