Family who kept woman as slave for five years jailed

The Met Police say the victim worked for the family for free at addresses in Enfield and Birmingham for over five years.

The woman in her 40s was told she'd be a paid carer and travelled by minibus from Poland in 2014. But when she arrived, she was forced to work seven days a week without pay, made to sleep in a shed, and wasn't allowed to contact her family.

At Reading Crown Court on March 25, four people living at a property in Tottenhall Road near Palmers Green were jailed after they were convicted of holding a person in servitude.

The Met says it became aware of the victim in 2019 after neighbours saw how she was living and reported seeing her out on the street cleaning the family's car all day.

Izabela Dytlow, who lives at the address, told police the victim did not live there. The victim was out in touch with someone who spoke Polish but she denied being forced to work or held against her will.

The Met's modern slavery unit took over the investigation in May 2020 and later convinced the woman to admit she wasn't being paid for her work.

Izabela Dytlow. Credit: Met Police

Officers persuaded the victim to leave the property, to which she said in the police car: "It’s like a dream, I cannot believe I am now free."

Police learned when the victim came to England, Ms Dytlow took the victim to get a National Insurance number upon arrival to the country. She had signed documents but had no understanding of what they were.

Dytlow, 47, Szanel Dytlow, 19, Andrzej Kasparowicz, 63, Kamil Wesolowski, 22, all of Tottenhall Road, were arrested in May 2020. Following a seven-week trial, they were all convicted.

Izabela Dytlow was jailed for nine years after being convicted of one count of trafficking a person into UK for exploitation, three counts of holding a person in servitude and four counts of fraud by false representation.

Kasparowicz will also serve nine years after he he was found guilty of three counts of holding person in servitude, two counts of fraud by false representation and one count of money laundering.

Andrzej Kasparowicz. Credit: Met Police

Szanel Dytlow, was given a 16 month sentence, suspended for 24 months, and 180 hours unpaid work after being convicted of one count of holding a person in servitude.

Wesolowski received a 12 month sentence in custody, suspended for 24 months, 120 hours unpaid work and 15 days rehabilitation activity after being convicted of one count of holding a person in servitude.

Detective Constable Petra Williams said: "This was a lengthy investigation which revealed numerous crimes committed by the family. The victim comes from a poor background with both parents deceased. She hoped coming into the UK would offer her a better life and one can only imagine the disappointment she must have felt when she was made to face those unacceptable conditions.

"The family clearly exploited the victim and took advantage of her vulnerable state. They made the victim believe should she go to the police she would never get help and would be in trouble. It was clear that with time the victim lost hope the situation would improve and gave up.

"I hope that this case will encourage anyone who finds themselves in a similar position, or anyone concerned for someone they know, to come forward and make a report."