'Dangerous' Brighton man jailed for exploiting 16-year-old girl
He used the teenager to sell drugs
A Brighton man has been jailed for six years for exploting a vulnerable 16-year-old girl and manipulated her into dealing drugs on his behalf.
26-year-old Giuseppe Carella, formerly of Baker Street, was identified as the operator of the 'Max' county lines drugs line, which dealt illegal substances on the south coast.
Sussex Police first discovered the teenage victim, who was being sought as a missing person, involved in drug dealing in the city on February 25th last year.
Officers gained entry to a hotel room she was seen to enter in Upper Rock Gardens, discovering Carella there.
Searches of the room found 128 wraps of Class A drugs, over £1,600 in cash and items linked to the preparation of drugs such as scales, cling film and several mobile phones.
Huge numbers of messages also showed a pattern of emotional manipulation from Carella towards his victim.
Carella arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and trafficking a victim for exploitation under the Modern Slavery Act.
He was subsequently charged with three counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, two counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, two counts of possession of criminal property, possession of a knife, possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of cannabis and facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation.
Carella pleaded guilty to all of the drug and weapon offences in March 2021 and was remanded in custody awaiting the outcome of the exploitation investigation.
After also pleading guilty to the charge of facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation, Carella was sentenced to a total of six years in prison at Lewes Crown Court on Friday (June 10th).
He was given a 10-year Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Order prohibiting him from owning a mobile phone, SIM card or computer unless registered with police and his service provider. He must also notify the nearest police station of any changes to his home address within seven days of moving house.
Carella’s victim was supported in the community and is currently in the care of health services.
Detective Constable Rachel Piggott of Sussex Police said:
“Not only did Giuseppe Carella manipulate and exploit a vulnerable girl to his own ends, he then tried to claim that he himself was a victim of modern slavery – an allegation that was investigated and disproved by Sussex Police.”
Detective Inspector Dee Wells, from Brighton and Hove’s Community Investigation Team, said:
“I would like to thank all of the officers, staff and everybody involved in this long and complex investigation, which has safeguarded a vulnerable young person and taken a dangerous individual off the streets.
“The illegal drug trade goes hand in hand with exploitation and violence and we will continue to work around the clock to disrupt perpetrators, bring them to justice and safeguard their victims.”