Norfolk couple jailed for running international sex trafficking operation
The pair were arrested after police questioned sex workers at a brothel in Yorkshire
A couple from West Norfolk have been jailed for 5 years each, for their roles in an international sex trafficking business which exploited vulnerable women.
42 year old Fabiani Alves De Souza and 53 year old Gareth Derby, both of Town Street in Upwell, were charged after police interviewed several sex workers in North Yorkshire.
A total of seven victims, aged between 26 and 60, were identified. They'd be trafficked into the UK from Brazil, Portugal and Spain.
De Souza was charged with eight offences under Sexual Offences Act 2003 along with seven modern slavery charges.
Derby faced two charges connected to prostitution. Both these offences involved the same woman who working for the couple in Harrogate.
Police first identified Derby & De Souza after talking to sex workers at a suspected brothel in Harrogate.
It was determined that De Souza was renting out the flat which was being used by the sex workers and was also advertising their services on adult website.
She also paid for similar adverts connected to the King's Lynn area.
The couple were found to be involved in transporting women who were working for them by paying for flights and collecting them from airports.
An investigation into the couple's finances found they had spent thousands of pounds setting up their prostitution business.
Around £40,000 was paid into the couple's accounts over a six month period in 2017.
Both were jailed for five years at Leeds Crown Court today, after being found guilty following a three week trial.
They were handed slavery and trafficking orders that will last for 10 years following their release from prison.