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Man jailed for trafficking Nigerian girls out of UK | Man jailed for trafficking Nigerian girls out of UK |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The first man to be convicted of trafficking females out of the UK, in a case involving two Nigerian girls, has been jailed. | The first man to be convicted of trafficking females out of the UK, in a case involving two Nigerian girls, has been jailed. |
Anthony Harrison, 32, was sentenced to 20 years for four trafficking offences as well as two of false imprisonment. | Anthony Harrison, 32, was sentenced to 20 years for four trafficking offences as well as two of false imprisonment. |
At Woolwich Crown Court, Harrison, of Stratford, east London, was cleared of two counts of rape. | At Woolwich Crown Court, Harrison, of Stratford, east London, was cleared of two counts of rape. |
The charges related to teenage victims who alleged they were subjected to witchcraft and violence. | The charges related to teenage victims who alleged they were subjected to witchcraft and violence. |
Judge Philip Shorrock said the sentence was being imposed "to deter others who are tempted by this terrible trade" and "to reflect public disgust". | Judge Philip Shorrock said the sentence was being imposed "to deter others who are tempted by this terrible trade" and "to reflect public disgust". |
Juju magic | Juju magic |
Harrison imprisoned both girls - aged 14 and 16 - at his home in Albert Square, Stratford, in 2009, before attempting to traffic them to Spain and Greece as prostitutes. | Harrison imprisoned both girls - aged 14 and 16 - at his home in Albert Square, Stratford, in 2009, before attempting to traffic them to Spain and Greece as prostitutes. |
The two had been controlled by Juju magic rituals, the court was told. | The two had been controlled by Juju magic rituals, the court was told. |
The case is thought to be the first of its kind in Europe to involve a prosecution linked to such a practice. | The case is thought to be the first of its kind in Europe to involve a prosecution linked to such a practice. |
Both girls came from small villages in Edo, Nigeria, and were sold into prostitution with the help of the local Juju priest. | Both girls came from small villages in Edo, Nigeria, and were sold into prostitution with the help of the local Juju priest. |
Juju is a significant part of West African culture. | Juju is a significant part of West African culture. |
Police said Harrison was a key player in a sophisticated network of West African people traffickers operating in the UK. | |
After Harrison was convicted, the prosecution told the court: "This has been something of a unique case and ground-breaking. It's the first time there has been a prosecution for trafficking out of the UK. | After Harrison was convicted, the prosecution told the court: "This has been something of a unique case and ground-breaking. It's the first time there has been a prosecution for trafficking out of the UK. |
"It's the first time the Crown has been able to persuade victims of these type of offences to give evidence." | "It's the first time the Crown has been able to persuade victims of these type of offences to give evidence." |
Det Con Andy Desmond, of Metropolitan Police, said: "These young women suffered the most terrifying and degrading ordeal - leaving them emotionally, psychologically and physically traumatised. | |
"Most cruelly of all, they were brainwashed into believing that if they disobeyed their captors by seeking help, they would die. | "Most cruelly of all, they were brainwashed into believing that if they disobeyed their captors by seeking help, they would die. |
"They were also told that if they went to the police for help they would be handed straight back to their captors." | "They were also told that if they went to the police for help they would be handed straight back to their captors." |
A Home Office spokesman said: "We will seek to deport this individual at the earliest opportunity. | |
"Our priority will always be to protect the public, and we will seek to remove any foreign national convicted of a serious crime. | |
"Last year we removed 5,235 foreign criminals from the UK." |