CPS continues fight against sex trade traffickers
16/09/2005
The latest Crown Prosecution Service case against human traffickers ended today with the sentencing of Viktoras Larcenko, the last member of a gang convicted for smuggling girls from Lithuania in 2003 and forcing them into prostitution with threats and violence. In total the gang received 51 years.
So far this year the Crown Prosecution Service has prosecuted four similar human trafficking cases and seen 15 individuals convicted. The majority of cases concern trafficking into forced prostitution from Eastern Europe. Traffickers have been of Albanian, Kosovan, Macedonian and Lithuanian origin and some of the female victims are Russian, Estonian and Lithuanian. A further three cases and six defendants are awaiting trial.
Dru Sharpling, Chief Crown Prosecutor, CPS London said "Human trafficking is a modern menace and the CPS is tackling international crime head on. For this case, the whole of the prosecution team - police officers, CPS and Counsel - worked in tandem with the Lithuanian authorities.
"This case is an excellent example of how to manage large, complex investigations and prosecutions which cross national borders. It's also a real example of the difference effective witness care makes to highly vulnerable victims."
In July Viktoras Larcenko, 24, pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court to conspiracy to traffic in prostitution and conspiracy to launder money. This follows the earlier conviction after trial of four other gang members, including his sister Rita, 20.
The pair had set up a network taking advantage of girls who wanted a better life but who subsequently found themselves working 14 hours a day in brothels and massage parlours. Rita and three other gang members who ran the brothels were convicted after trial in April for offences which included rape and living on the earnings of prostitution. Saulius Kudaris was acquitted of conspiracy to kidnap.
CPS South Central London lawyer Graham Partridge advised police on the Larcenko case throughout the investigation and preparation for trial.
He said "The prosecution faced a number of challenges and we were constantly learning all we could on the problem of human trafficking. Right from day one we were able to advise the police and give them the tools to do the job such as urgent letters of request to allow officers to travel to Lithuania at an early stage and gather evidence to assist us at trial."
It is believed that human trafficking is the third most profitable activity for organised crime after drugs and arms dealing.
The CPS is engaged at local, national and international levels on human trafficking issues. Training on immigration and trafficking offences has been delivered nationally and the CPS legal guidance has been rewritten to give prosecutors up to date reference material on the new trafficking offences created in the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and the new immigration offences in the Asylum and Immigration (treatment of claimants) Act 2004.
Notes to Editors
- Some defendants were charged with conspiracy relating to the Nationality Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. These provisions are now contained in the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
- In December 2003 The CPS secured the conviction of Albanian trafficker Luan Plakici (see CPS press release - CPS secures conviction in cruel human trafficking case). His sentence was subsequently increased to 23 years on appeal in 2004.
- Larcenko case chronology:
- Larcenko case convictions:
- For further details contact the CPS press office on 020 7710 6088.
- Briefing and illustrative materials are available from the Metropolitan Police Press Office. Contact the Press Bureau on 020 72302171.
August 2003: Attempt to abduct two victims on Streatham High Road South London.
October and November 2003: Arrests made.
November 2004: Trial starts with the case of Viktoras severed to be tried at a later date.
April 2005: Trial ends with convictions on all counts for all defendants except Salius Kudaris, who is acquitted of conspiracy to kidnap.
July 2005: Viktoras Larcenko pleads guilty.
Rita LARCENKO
2 x CONSPIRACY TO TRAFFIC IN PROSTITUTION, contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977.
2 x EXERCISING CONTROL OVER PROSTITUTION, contrary to section 31 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956.
CONSPIRACY TO KIDNAP, contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977.
CONSPIRACY TO LAUNDER MONEY, contrary to section 1 (1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977.
Chin Hin (or Jason) TAI
2 x CONSPIRACY TO TRAFFIC IN PROSTITUTION, contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977.
LIVING ON PROSTITUTION, contrary to section 30 (1) of the Sexual Offences Act 1956.
RAPE, contrary to section 1(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 1956.
Dan Ket DUONG
CONSPIRACY TO TRAFFIC IN PROSTITUTION, contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977.
Salina ABDUL-RAHIM
MONEY LAUNDERING, contrary to section 329(1)(a) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
EXERCISING CONTROL OVER PROSTITUTION, contrary to section 31 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956.
Viktoras LARCENKO
CONSPIRACY TO TRAFFIC IN PROSTITUTION, contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977.
CONSPIRACY TO LAUNDER MONEY, contrary to section 1 (1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977.
