Slavery victims forced to work 100-hour weeks at McDonald's

MODERN slavery victims were made to work at a McDonald's restaurant and a factory supplying supermarkets for years without anyone realising.

- Paul Jeeves

Criminal gangs forced 16 terrified victims to work at the fast-food restaurant in Caxton, Cambridgeshire.

They also worked at factories in Hertfordshire and London supplying bread to Waitrose, Tesco, M&S, Sainsbury's, Asda and Co-op.

The victims were exploited for more than four years before their circumstances were flagged to police. Today a BBC exposé reveals the failings that enabled the gang to traffic the slaves from the Czech Republic.

Livestock

Their passports were confiscated and they were controlled through fear and violence having to work up to 100 hours a week.

The victims earned at least the legal minimum wage but the vast majority of their pay was stolen by the familyrun criminal network.