This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpq70372d55o

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
UN judge Lydia Mugambe jailed for keeping housekeeper as slave UN judge Lydia Mugambe jailed for keeping housekeeper as slave
(about 2 hours later)
Lydia Mugambe was found to have abused her position of power to use the young woman as a slaveLydia Mugambe was found to have abused her position of power to use the young woman as a slave
A United Nations judge has been jailed for forcing a housekeeper to work as a slave. A United Nations judge has been jailed for six years and four months for forcing a woman to work as a domestic slave.
Lydia Mugambe was studying for a PhD in law at the University of Oxford when officers discovered she had a young woman at her home carrying out unpaid work as a maid and nanny. Lydia Mugambe, 50, was studying for a PhD in law at the University of Oxford when police discovered she had a young Ugandan woman at her home carrying out unpaid work as a maid and nanny.
The 50-year-old, who is also a High Court judge in Uganda, was found guilty of modern day slavery offences in March. Mugambe, who is also a High Court judge in Uganda, was jailed at Oxford Crown Court on Friday after she was found guilty of modern day slavery offences in March.
She was jailed at Oxford Crown Court for six years and four months. In sentencing, Judge David Foxton told the defendant she "showed absolutely no remorse" for her actions and she had looked to "forcibly blame" the victim for what happened.
Body camera footage showed Mugambe telling police "I even have immunity" as they made the arrestBody camera footage showed Mugambe telling police "I even have immunity" as they made the arrest
Mugambe fraudulently arranged a visa for the woman, who was from Uganda. Mugambe fraudulently arranged a visa for the woman but it stipulated she would be paid to work as a private servant at the diplomatic residence of John Mugerwa, Uganda's former deputy high commissioner based at the country's embassy in London.
But the terms of the visa stipulated she would be paid to work as a private servant at the diplomatic residence of John Mugerwa, Uganda's former deputy high commissioner based at the Ugandan embassy in London.
Prosecutors said Mr Mugerwa sponsored the victim's visa knowing she would actually work in servitude for Mugambe.Prosecutors said Mr Mugerwa sponsored the victim's visa knowing she would actually work in servitude for Mugambe.
In return Mugambe would provide him assistance in relation to a separate court case in Uganda in which he was a defendant, the court was told. In return, Mugambe would provide him assistance in relation to a separate court case in Uganda in which he was a defendant, the court was told.
The trial heard Mugambe paid for the victim's flight and picked her up from the airport - but then became a slave at her home in Kidlington. The trial heard Mugambe paid for the victim's flight and picked her up from the airport - but the young woman then became a slave at the judge's home in Kidlington, Oxfordshire.
Mugambe was studying for a PhD at the University of OxfordMugambe was studying for a PhD at the University of Oxford
Passing sentence, Judge David Foxton said it was a "very sad case", outlining Mugambe's legal accomplishments, including work concerning the protection of human rights. Mr Foxton described it as a "very sad case" as he outlined Mugambe's legal accomplishments, including her work in the protection of human rights.
The judge added that the defendant "showed absolutely no remorse" for her conduct and that she looked to "forcibly blame" the victim for what happened. In a written statement, read to the court by prosecutor Caroline Haughey KC, the victim described living in "almost constant fear" due to Mugambe's powerful standing in Uganda.
The Crown Prosecution Service authorised police to charge Mr Mugerwa with conspiracy, but he had diplomatic immunity, which the Ugandan Government did not waive. The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said she "can't go back to Uganda" due to fear of what may happen to her and added that she may never see her mother again.
Ms Haughey said Mugambe exploited her victim by taking advantage of her lack of knowledge about employment rights and misleading her about why she came to the UK.
She said there was a "clear and significant imbalance of power within the relationship" between Mugambe and her victim.
'Treated as worthless''Treated as worthless'
The Crown Prosecution Service authorised police to charge Mr Mugerwa with conspiracy but he had diplomatic immunity, which the Ugandan Government did not waive.
Mugambe had denied forcing the young Ugandan woman to do household chores and said she "always" treated her with love, care and patience.Mugambe had denied forcing the young Ugandan woman to do household chores and said she "always" treated her with love, care and patience.
The victim, who has anonymity for life, said: "My existence to Lydia was not important. I was fearful and worried.
"I was asking for God to help me. I should have been treated humanely, not treated as useless or worthless."
Ch Supt Ben Clark, of Thames Valley Police, said there was "no doubt" that Mugambe had known she was committing offences.Ch Supt Ben Clark, of Thames Valley Police, said there was "no doubt" that Mugambe had known she was committing offences.
"Modern slavery is an under reported crime and I hope that the bravery of the victim in this case encourages other victims of modern slavery to come forward," he said."Modern slavery is an under reported crime and I hope that the bravery of the victim in this case encourages other victims of modern slavery to come forward," he said.
A University of Oxford spokesperson said the institution was "appalled" by its student's crimes.A University of Oxford spokesperson said the institution was "appalled" by its student's crimes.
"The university is now commencing its own disciplinary process, which has the power to remove students convicted of serious criminal offences," the spokesperson added."The university is now commencing its own disciplinary process, which has the power to remove students convicted of serious criminal offences," the spokesperson added.
You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.