Victim’s pride at helping to jail ‘dangerous’ modern slavery gang

A modern slavery victim has spoken of her pride at helping to jail the “dangerous” gang which forced her into prostitution and exploited hundreds of other women. Her harrowing story was key for detectives working in London and Essex in finding several brothels last year and protecting women, the Metropolitan Police’s modern slavery and child exploitation investigation (MSCE) team said. Detectives identified more than 300 potential female victims and safeguarded 134. Five gang members were sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court, west London, for offences including conspiracy to arrange or facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation and conspiracy to control prostitution for gain. The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was 18, homeless, spoke little English and was trying to avoid a life on the streets with drug addicts when she became involved with the gang. She answered an online advert which led to her working in brothels for two years against her will. She managed to escape by locking herself into a bathroom and calling the police.