A COUPLE from Bristol have been found guilty of modern slavery and human trafficking crimes after keeping men as slaves.

Maros Tancos, 45 of Brentry and Joanna Gomulska, 46 of Lockleaze have been convicted of running a human trafficking network in Bristol, promising people a new life in the UK then forcing them to work without pay.

The National Crime Agency rescued five men who were being kept as modern slaves in a house in Brentry Lane, Bristol.

The couple were arrested on suspicion of modern slavery and human trafficking offences in July 2017.

Both denied their involvement but following a trial spanning almost three months, including evidence from 15 victims, they were convicted by a jury today at Bristol Crown Court.

Tancos recruited vulnerable people from Slovakia, targeting those who were often raised in orphanages or living in camps. He promised them transport to the UK, somewhere to live and food.

He told his victims that they could keep half of their wages each month, whilst the other half would be kept for rent and board.

But, on arrival in the UK, the couple took their victims’ identity documents and phones, leaving them unable to travel independently or leave.

Victims received no money and earnings were spent by the defendants on online gambling, in casinos, on buying cars or their own living costs.

Tancos and Gomulska kept victims bank cards and would make them open accounts, and apply for loans or credit cards in their names.

Between 2010 and 2017, almost £300,000 was transferred from their accounts.

Ten victims lived in a three-bed home and slept on dirty mattresses. The couple locked them in the house when they were out, but they told investigators that even if the door was unlocked they felt they could not leave due to the level of control they held over them.

In statements, victims described their time with the defendants as ‘catastrophic’ and said they were humiliated, hit and punished by Tancos. One returned to Slovakia when she fell pregnant, her child child was born malnourished and suffering epileptic fits.

They will be sentenced on May 26.