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Cumbria slavery probe: Man 'lived in shed for 40 years' | Cumbria slavery probe: Man 'lived in shed for 40 years' |
(about 9 hours later) | |
A potential victim of modern slavery has been rescued after living in a shed for 40 years, according to the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority. | A potential victim of modern slavery has been rescued after living in a shed for 40 years, according to the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority. |
Officers found the 58-year-old British man with just a chair and soiled bedding during a raid at a residential site north of Carlisle on Wednesday. | Officers found the 58-year-old British man with just a chair and soiled bedding during a raid at a residential site north of Carlisle on Wednesday. |
He was taken away to be assessed by specialist medical staff. | He was taken away to be assessed by specialist medical staff. |
A 79-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of modern slavery offences. | A 79-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of modern slavery offences. |
'Rabbit in headlights' | 'Rabbit in headlights' |
Martin Plimmer from the GLAA said: "The information that was given to us was that he had been kept in the shed for a period of 40 years. | Martin Plimmer from the GLAA said: "The information that was given to us was that he had been kept in the shed for a period of 40 years. |
"When we found him he was like a rabbit in headlights and very confused. | "When we found him he was like a rabbit in headlights and very confused. |
"He was just in the clothes he stood up in and where he was sleeping in the shed there was just a soiled duvet on the floor. | "He was just in the clothes he stood up in and where he was sleeping in the shed there was just a soiled duvet on the floor. |
"There was no heating and it was very cold. It was conditions that no human being should live in." | "There was no heating and it was very cold. It was conditions that no human being should live in." |
Mr Plimmer said the man appeared to have been made to carry out unpaid work from the age of 16 or 17. | Mr Plimmer said the man appeared to have been made to carry out unpaid work from the age of 16 or 17. |
'Traumatised' | 'Traumatised' |
He said it was unclear whether the man had ever tried to leave. | He said it was unclear whether the man had ever tried to leave. |
"He has been traumatised for such a length of time that it will be a slow process to win back his trust," Mr Plimmer added. | |
He said the 79-year-old arrested man would be questioned in due course. | He said the 79-year-old arrested man would be questioned in due course. |
Mr Plimmer added: "In my long career I've never come across anyone who has been held as a slave potentially for 40 years and this, I think, could be the longest period of captivity that we have dealt with. | Mr Plimmer added: "In my long career I've never come across anyone who has been held as a slave potentially for 40 years and this, I think, could be the longest period of captivity that we have dealt with. |
"It's an extremely sad and serious case." | "It's an extremely sad and serious case." |
The raid resulted from a call to a confidential helpline, Mr Plimmer said. | The raid resulted from a call to a confidential helpline, Mr Plimmer said. |
The operation was supported by the National Crime Agency and Cumbria Police. | The operation was supported by the National Crime Agency and Cumbria Police. |
Carlisle City Council's private sector housing team, which was investigating possible health and safety breaches, was also involved. | Carlisle City Council's private sector housing team, which was investigating possible health and safety breaches, was also involved. |