Robert Bryan & Helen Easterbrook act in ‘landmark court case’ concerning the Modern Slavery Act
15 May 2023
In a ‘landmark court case’ Robert Bryan and Helen Easterbrook defended a carer who was prosecuted for keeping his client in slavery or servitude contrary to section 1 of the Modern Slavery Act and Article 4 of the ECHR. It was the first time that the Act had been used to prosecute where the person being kept in slavery or servitude was not working or providing a service: the victim was wheelchair bound with cerebral palsy, rather it was alleged that the Defendant had benefited by his employment.
The Jury at Portsmouth Crown Court convicted by a majority and also convicted the Defendant for ill-treatment by a care worker for some of the indicted period; the Defendant was acquitted of fraud and theft at the close of the prosecution case.
Robert and Helen were instructed by Louise Rodaway of Wessex Solicitors, Portsmouth.