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Human trafficking victims win appeal against convictions Vietnamese trafficking victims win appeal against convictions
(35 minutes later)
An adult and three children who were trafficked to the UK and forced to work for criminal gangs have successfully appealed against their convictions. Three children from Vietnam who were trafficked to the UK and forced to work for criminal gangs have had their criminal convictions quashed.
The three children were arrested when police raided a cannabis factory. The court ruled they should not have been prosecuted because they were victims of a "vile trade in people".
They had been convicted for drug offences and the adult was convicted of carrying false documents. The three children were arrested and convicted for drug offences after police raids on cannabis factories.
In an unconnected case, a woman from Uganda also had her conviction for carrying false documents overturned.
Lawyers for the four argued they should not have been prosecuted because they were all victims of trafficking.
The Court of Appeal overturned all four convictions and has issued guidance to courts about how potential trafficking victims should be treated by the criminal justice system.
'Victims of crime'
Lord Judge, Lord Chief Justice, said: "This vile trade in people has different manifestations.
"Whether trafficked from home or overseas, they are all victims of crime. That is how they must be treated and, in the vast majority of cases they are, but not always.'"
The guidance issued makes it clear it is not for the courts to decide whether someone should be prosecuted.
But in cases where issues of trafficking arise, the court can stop the prosecution if it is thought the defendant is a trafficking victim and committing offences as a result of their exploitation.