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Travellers plead not guilty to slavery charges
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Five men and one woman appeared at Luton Crown Court today (Monday, February 13) charged in connection with an investigation by Bedfordshire Police into allegations of slavery and servitude on Green Acres Caravan Park in Little Billington, near Leighton Buzzard.
The defendants face charges under Section 71 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 relating to slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour; Conspiracy to Hold a Person in Servitude contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977; and Conspiracy to Require a Person to Perform Forced or Compulsory Labour contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977. There are also two charges of Actual Bodily Harm and one count of battery.
All defendants plead not guilty to the charges which are as follows:
James John Connors (Big Jim), 34, is charged with two counts of holding a person in servitude and requiring them to perform forced or compulsory labour contrary to Section 71 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009; one count of Conspiracy to Hold a Person in Servitude contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977; one count of Conspiracy to Require a Person to Perform Forced or Compulsory Labour contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977; one count of Actual Bodily Harm; and one count of Battery.
Josie Connors, 30, is charged with two counts of holding a person in servitude and requiring them to perform forced or compulsory labour contrary to Section 71 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.
Johnny Connors, 27, is charged with one count of Conspiracy to Hold a Person in Servitude contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977 and one count of Conspiracy to Require a Person to Perform Forced or Compulsory Labour contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977
Tommy Connors (Junior), 26, James (Jimmy) Connors, 23, and Patrick Connors, 20, are all charged with six counts of Conspiracy to Hold a Person in Servitude contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977, and six counts of Conspiracy to Require a Person to Perform Forced or Compulsory Labour contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977. Patrick Connors is also charged with one count of Actual Bodily Harm.
Tommy Connors (Senior), aged 52, is charged with six counts of Conspiracy to Hold a Person in Servitude contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977, and six counts of Conspiracy to Require a Person to Perform Forced or Compulsory Labour contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977. Tommy Connors (Senior) did not appear at court due to illness, although his legal team indicated that he also denied all charges.
The six male defendants have all been remanded in custody, while Josie Connors remains on bail. All seven will appear at Luton Crown Court on April 16, 2012 for trial.
For more on this story see the February 14 issue of the LBO.
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Weather for Leighton Buzzard
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
