Polish group charged over slavery conspiracy
News release by West Midlands Police, November 9th, 2017
A group of Polish nationals living in the West Midlands have appeared in court charged with modern slavery offences as part of a West Midlands Police investigation into human trafficking.
It’s alleged the six men and three women exploited more than 80 people − controlling bank accounts in their names and stealing wages − after trafficking them from their home country from 2014.
Those charged are:
Justyna Parcewska (47) from Beechwood Road in West Bromwich, who is originally from Wloclawek in Poland
Marek Brzezinski (48) from Lindley Avenue in Tipton
Dawid Kasperowicz (27) from Waterside Street in West Bromwich, who is originally from Opoczno in Poland
Natalia Zmuda (27) from Canute Close in Walsall, originally from Debca in Poland
Julianna Chodakiewicz (22) from Saxonbury in Evesham, who is originally from Grueziadz in Poland
Marek Chowaniec (29) from Mount Street in Walsall, originally from Warsaw
Jan Sadowski (26) from Dartmouth street in West Bromwich
Ignacy Brzezinski (52) from Beechwood Road in West Bromwich, originally from Chelmno-Pomorskie in Poland
Wojciech Nowakowski (41) from James Turner Street in Winson Green, originally from Bydgoszcz in Poland
All nine have been charged with conspiracy to force people into labour, conspiracy to traffic people with a view to exploitation, and conspiracy to acquire criminal property.
They appeared at Birmingham Magistrates Court on 6 and 7 November and remanded into prison ahead of their next appearance at Birmingham Crown Court on 5 December.
Anyone who suspects people are being exploited or forced into labour in their community is urged to call West Midlands Police on 101 or contact the anti-slavery charity Hope for Justice or call 0300 008 8000.
