A trial date has been fixed for a father and son charged with conspiring to commit human trafficking offences after a man was found living in a shed in Cumbria.
Peter Swailes, 80, of Hadrian’s Park, Brampton Old Road, Carlisle, and Peter Swailes Jr, 55, of Cryndlbeck Stables, Low Harker, Carlisle, appeared remotely before Carlisle Crown Court on Tuesday.
Both pleaded not guilty to conspiring together and with others to arrange or facilitate the travel of an individual between 2015 and 2019 with a view to him being exploited.
The charges came following a three-year investigation by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, supported by Cumbria Police and the National Crime Agency, after a 58-year-old man was found living in a 6ft shed on a residential site north of Carlisle.
Investigators found there was no heating in the cramped shed, with a soiled duvet on the floor and a metered television.
Swailes and Swailes Jr were bailed to attend a further case management hearing on December 10.
Their trial has been fixed for January 17 and is estimated to last up to three weeks.
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