Trial date set for man and woman accused of being involved in serious organised crime in the Scottish Borders
Last updated 28th Oct 2024
Six days have been set aside for the trial of a man and woman accused of being involved in serious organised crime in the Scottish Borders.
Sebastian Masawi, who's 25 and originally from Wolverhampton, and 24-year-old Joyce Chakonda, who gave an address in Edinburgh, have been charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine at addresses in Galashiels, Hawick, and elsewhere in the region, between October 1st, 2022 and April 14th, 2023.
It is alleged they forced other people to sell drugs for them, using a practice known as "cuckooing" - where a vulnerable person's home is taken over to store, transport or deal in illicit substances.
According to official court papers, two men and a woman were allegedly "recruited" using threats of violence.
Both Masawi and Chakonda have been charged with an offence under the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act in relation to the woman; while Masawi faces a further two similar charges in relation to the two men.
In addition, Masawi is charged with assaulting the woman at an address in Wood Street, Galashiels, on February 28th last year.
He is accused of repeatedly punching and slapping her on the head, holding a knife to her throat, and dragging her by the body along the ground to her injury.
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Masawi is further charged with abducting one of the men in Hawick's Howegate between March 5th and 6th, 2023.
It is alleged he forced him to enter a vehicle and detained him against his will; assaulted him; and menaced him with knives or machetes whereby he was in such fear for his life that he threw himself out of a moving car.
Masawi thereafter, it is claimed, pursued the man and, while he was on the ground, repeatedly struck him on the head and body with a knife - all to his severe injury.
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Masawi denies three counts of human trafficking, involvement in serious organised crime, abduction and assault to severe injury, assault to injury, assault, being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug and possession of a bladed article.
Co-accused Chakonda pleaded not guilty to three charges. They are human trafficking, involvement in serious organised crime and drug dealing.
Due to the anticipated length of the trial, the case is being transferred to Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
Masawi was refused bail when he appeared from custody at Selkirk Sheriff Court today (Monday). The case will recall on January 27th.
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