The 45-year-old was exposed by his youngest victim – a 15-year-old boy
A car wash owner who trapped eight Romanian nationals in squalid conditions was exposed by his youngest victim – a 15-year-old boy. Hewa Margai, 45, duped the group into travelling to Mitcham from overseas in late-2020 with promises of accommodation, food, fair pay and legitimate employment at his business.
In reality, they were stripped of their IDs, kept in a single room and subjected to physical, mental and psychological abuse. The ordeal continued until February 2021 when the Metropolitan Police received a tip-off from the brave teenager.
A raid later the same day uncovered two women, aged in their 20s, and five men in their teens, 20s and 30s. They had been living together in a dirty on-site shed for months.
Communicating via Google Translate, the victims told officers they had travelled to the UK by bus, and had only worked for a few weeks prior to the Covid-19 lockdown, during which the car wash was closed. From this point on, they were forced to pay rent to Margai.
One of rescued women developed a severe infection, resulting in hospitalisation and multiple surgeries. This was a direct consequence of the neglect and conditions she endured during her captivity.
Margai, of Carshalton Road, was arrested a month later and subject to a five-year investigation by the Met’s Modern Slavery Unit. He was found guilty of eight counts of holding a person in slavery or servitude under section 1 of Modern Slavery Act on Wednesday, November 19.
Today (November 27), at Kingston Crown Court, he was sentenced to eight years and six months behind bars. A judge also slapped him with a 10-year Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Order.
Detective Chief Inspector Mike Stubbins, from Central Specialist Crime, said: “The trauma and ordeal the victims endured cannot be underestimated. They have shown remarkable strength throughout the investigation and played an essential role in providing evidence to ensure Margai is held accountable and receives the appropriate punishment for his crimes.”
The victims have since been repatriated to Romania, where they are being supported by friends and family.
Incidents of modern slavery should be reported to police immediately by calling 101.
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