The UK's largest-ever modern slavery ring - which forced more than 400 people to work for as little as 50p a day - has been broken and its ringleaders convicted.

Following two trials, five men and three women, all originally from Poland, were convicted of modern slavery offences and money laundering.

The gang, led by the Brzezinski family, preyed on homeless people, ex-prisoners and alcoholics, also from Poland.

Their targets were trafficked to the UK after being offered good money, but instead were housed in squalor.

Some of them were desperate for money to pay for family members' medical care.


Image: Some victims had to scavenge for mattresses to sleep on

Living conditions were "horrible", one victim said. "I would say some homeless people here in the UK live better than I lived afterluxury cars, including a Bentley

Despite being here legally, the traffickers convinced the victims that was not the case, and that if they left their accommodation they would be arrested.

One worker, who was redecorating a house, was given coffee and a chicken as payment.

In contrast, their criminal masters earned £2m, wore lavish clothes and drove luxury cars, including a Bentley.

The accounts of more than 90 victims were heard by jurors, but it is believed that at least 350 more were exploited by the gang.

The operation was finally stopped after victims were uncovered by anti-slavery charity Hope for Justice, which said 51 victims eventually made contact at two drop-in centres.

Image: Some of £13,000 in cash that was seized from an address linked to two of the gang members

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