CPS News Brief

Bed manufacturer jailed for 27 months for conspiracy to traffic people

Mohammed Rafiq, a factory owner who employed large numbers of Hungarians as a “slave workforce” in his multi-million pound bed manufacturing business has today been sentenced to 27 months imprisonment for conspiracy to traffic.

The case came to light after two Hungarians, Janos Orsos and Ferenc Illes, were arrested and subsequently convicted of human trafficking charges.

Gavin Hotchkiss, reviewing lawyer, Complex Casework Unit, CPS Yorkshire and Humberside said:

“Large numbers of Hungarian men were employed by Rafiq at his Kozee Sleep and Layzee Beds factories in West Yorkshire. Rafiq was aware of the circumstances of the Hungarian nationals who were working at his factories and were exploited as a slave workforce.

“This defendant was part of a persistent and heartless campaign of exploitation involving many Hungarian men over a prolonged period of time. These men were vulnerable and desperate for work; they were promised good wages and accommodation.

“Once in the UK they faced a very different reality, living in shared, squalid and grossly overcrowded accommodation, some of which was provided by Rafiq. They worked for anything up to 20 hours a day, five to seven days a week, for little or no wages. The money they earned was passed to the trafficking gang, who then handed over minimal amounts to the victims.

“The sentence handed down today is a clear warning that the exploitation of vulnerable workers will not be tolerated.”

Additional information:

Mohammed Rafiq: Charged with one count of conspiracy to arrange or facilitate travel within the UK for exploitation. Guilty.

Mohammed Tarik Patel: Charged with one count of conspiracy to arrange or facilitate travel within the UK for exploitation. Not guilty.

Mohammed Amin Dadhiwala: Charged with one count of conspiracy to arrange or facilitate travel within the UK for exploitation. Not guilty.

Father and sons jailed for life for Langley Mill murder

Three men from the same family have been found guilty of murder for killing two teenagers and a baby when they deliberately set fire to a flat in Derbyshire.

Peter Eyre and his sons Simon and Anthony set the fire in North Street, Langley Mill. 17-year old Amy Smith, her daughter Ruby-Grace Gaunt aged six months and 17-year-old Edward Green died in the fire in the early hours of 21 June 2015. Shaun Gaunt (the father of Ruby Grace and partner of Amy) and another teenager escaped.

The prosecution’s case was that they attacked the flat following an argument that night with Mr Gaunt, who had accused another of Peter Eyre’s sons of stealing his moped. Peter Eyre took exception to the argument, and decided to retaliate. He and his two sons drove to Langley Mill, where they knew Mr Gaunt would be at home. At first they checked the location out and returned to their home in Sandiacre. Later, they drove again to the flat, where Simon and Anthony Eyre doused the front of the flat and a car parked outside with petrol and left the scene.

In addition to Mr Gaunt, there were others in the flat that night. As well as Amy and Ruby-Grace, two other friends were staying the night at the flat – Mr Green and one other. As the fire took hold, Mr Gaunt and his other friend were able to escape, but Mr Green, Amy and Ruby Grace died.

They were found guilty after a trial at Nottingham Crown Court and were today sentenced to life in prison. Peter Eyre will serve a minimum term of 32 years. Simon Eyre has a minimum term of 26 years and Anthony Eyre must serve a minimum term of 23 years.

Dona Parry-Jones, Senior Crown Prosecutor at CPS East Midlands, said:

“This mindless attack took the lives of three people who had done nothing to the defendants. The Eyres set out to target Mr Gaunt, but it was Amy, Ruby-Grace and Edward who died instead. During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence that they knew there were others in the flat, but carried out their so called revenge attack regardless.

“This was a trial for murder, because the evidence pointed strongly to the fact that the defendants deliberately set out to cause serious harm. The jury has rejected their arguments that they did not intend to set fire to the flat. They planned this together and executed their plan coldly and ruthlessly without a care for who they were putting in danger. The seriousness of this crime is reflected in the sentence the judge has handed down today.

“This was a tragic, needless waste of three young lives. We cannot underestimate the devastation this has left on the families and friends of the three victims. I would like to express my deepest sympathy to them for their loss. I hope that seeing the Eyres brought to justice for their actions will provide some comfort or closure at this difficult time.”

Rolf Harris to be charged with seven counts of indecent assault

The CPS has today authorised police to charge Rolf Harris with seven counts of indecent assault.

A CPS spokesperson said:

"We have carefully considered the evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police Service as part of Operation Yewtree in relation to Rolf Harris.

“Having completed our review in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Mr Harris to be charged with seven counts of indecent assault. The alleged offences date from 1971 to 2004 and relate to seven complainants aged between 12 and 27 at the time of the alleged offending.

“Mr Harris will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on 17 March 2016.

“May I remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr Harris will now be commenced and of his right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

Full details of the charges:

Seven counts of indecent assault on a woman contrary to s14 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956

In the alternative: One count of sexual assault contrary to s3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003

Two males sentenced for attack which caused the death of an unborn baby

Kevin Wilson, 22, and Taffari Grant, 17, were convicted today at the Central Criminal Court for causing grievous bodily harm with intent and child destruction. This relates to an attack on a heavily pregnant woman in the Peckham area on 15th June 2015.

Kevin Wilson was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 16 years. Taffari Grant was sentenced to 14 years’ extended detention.

The two defendants wore motorcycle helmets during the attack to try and conceal their identities but the victim recognised Wilson, who she had previously had a relationship with. Wilson was the father of the unborn baby and had previously told the victim that he did not want her to have the baby.

Malcolm McHaffie, CPS London Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor, said:

“The incomprehensibly evil actions of these two defendants have cruelly snatched away the life of an unborn baby boy who was just weeks away from being brought into the world.

“The evidence showed the attackers’ clear intent to inflict as much damage as possible on the unborn child as they viciously targeted the victim’s stomach by kicking and stamping with great force.

“Not only did this attack fatally injure the unborn baby, it caused life-threatening internal bleeding for the mother. She also suffered fractures to her hand which she was desperately using to try and protect the baby.

“We were able to demonstrate a clear link between the two defendants through telephone evidence which showed they had been in contact a number of times leading up to the attack.

“I would like to thank the victim for her courage in giving evidence against her attackers in this heart-breaking case.”

Three sentenced for major drug smuggling operation

Three men have been sentenced to immediate custodial terms of 66 years for their involvement in smuggling nearly 270 kilos of cocaine into Britain in a light aircraft. Mark Dowling, Jamie Williams and Andrew Wright were sentenced today at the Old Bailey for their involvement in importing this cocaine, as part of Operation Conning.

Mark Dowling led this crime group and he was also sentenced today for money laundering and further substantial drugs offences in a separate investigation called Operation Kazak. Jamie Williams was also sentenced for drugs and firearms offences in a separate investigation called Operation Goosewing.

Adrian Flasher, reviewing lawyer in the Organised Crime Division at the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

“Mark Dowling, Jamie Williams and Andrew Wright were part of a major drug smuggling conspiracy. This was a highly sophisticated operation involving the use of an aviation company which was a front to smuggle cocaine by plane.

“The operation was led by Mark Dowling, with Jamie Williams as his trusted lieutenant, and Andrew Wright as his pilot. When Andrew Wright was arrested in November 2014, 34 packages of cocaine weighing a kilo each were found, with an estimated street value of £4.25 million. Wright had flown the same journey eight times, with an estimated 268 kilos of cocaine having been imported.

“Extensive evidence was collated including flight records, bank accounts and observation evidence, which was reviewed and analysed by the CPS and presented in such a way as to demonstrate a compelling case, leaving these men with no option but to plead guilty. These sentences send a clear message that organised crime, no matter how sophisticated, can and will be successfully prosecuted by the CPS.”

Mark Dowling was sentenced to 24 years for conspiracy to import cocaine.

Jamie Williams was sentenced to 18 years for conspiracy to import cocaine and a further five years for firearms offences, to be served consecutively.

Both Dowling and Williams were also sentenced for a number of other serious offences with the sentences to run concurrently.

Andrew Wright was sentenced to 19 years for conspiracy to import cocaine. Additional information: The drugs had street value of around £34 million.

Op Conning:

Mark Dowling, Jamie Williams and Andrew Wright were sentenced for the importation of cocaine. This involved a light aircraft flying from Keissel in Germany to Breighton Airfield near Selby in East Yorkshire. Evidence shows before the flights back from Germany, Jamie Williams travelled to mainland Europe. He picked up the drugs (thought to have been in the Netherlands), and drove them to Germany and loaded the plane. He then returned to the UK and drove to Selby to pick the drugs up from Andrew Wright, before driving to Essex to take the drugs to Mark Dowling, who was in charge of the operation.

Op Kazak:

Mark Dowling was sentenced for money laundering offences and drug offences involving cannabis and cocaine.

Op Goosewing:

As well as his involvement in Op Conning, Jamie Williams was sentenced for drugs and firearms offences in a separate Operation.