Two men from Beaconsfield have been convicted alongside nine other family members for modern slavery crimes which involved “extremely vulnerable” victims.

The victims were forced to work long hours to fund the “lavish lifestyle” of their “employers” – who went on luxury holidays and bought BMW cars, spa days and cosmetic surgery.

Martin Rooney, 35, of Sainfoin Farm in Gatemoor Lane, Beaconsfield, has been convicted of conspiracy to defraud and two counts of converting a criminal property.

Patrick Rooney, 54, of the same address has been convicted of converting a criminal property.

The pair were convicted with nine others following a series of linked trials at Nottingham Crown Court as part of Licolnshire’s Police ‘Operation Pottery’ investigation – the “largest and most complex” investigation into modern slavery, according to police.

On September 22, 2014 police raids were carried out in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and London which saw three people Drinsey Nook and three from Washingborough and Lincoln arrested.

Detectives uncovered 12 vulnerable victims, many were alcoholics, had mental health issues, learning disabilities and were estranged from their families.

The UK Human Trafficking Centre stated that 18 men aged between 18 and 63 had been kept as slaves.

The victims, who will remain anonymous, lived in caravans with no running water, no access to toilets and in some cases the electricity was “dangerously” obtained from a nearby pylon.

It was promised they would be fed in return for work, and were then forced to work long hours tarmacking driveways and block paving for the family – using stolen goods.

The pay was “minimal” according to police after were often only given a pack of tobacco and a limited amount of alcohol.

The investigation also uncovered four properties which were illegally obtained from vulnerable victims who were encouraged to sell their homes well under their market value.

One victim living in Hayes signed his property over to Martin and 31-year-old John Rooney on the understanding they would inherit his share of the £210,000 property in the will.

The victim died and police stopped any sale of the property.

Another victim who had dementia and alcohol problems signed a house over to John following the death of his sister on the condition the property would be renovated and then be handed back over – this never happened.

The victim was then moved to Sainfoin Farm in Beaconsfield – the address of Patrick and Martin – where his health deteriorated and he was later moved to Drisney Nook.

He was left in A&E by members of the Rooney family in Lincoln Hospital as he was suffering from foot problems and was subsequently moved to a care home where he died in November 2014.

Meanwhile John Rooney sold the property and made payments to Patrick and Martin.

Chief Superintendent Nikki Mayo, Senior Investigating Officer, said: “The tragedy in this case is that the victims will never get those years of their lives back – we believe one man was held for 26 years. 

“The severity and gravity of the charges speak for themselves. Modern slavery is a cruel and extremely demoralising crime and it’s important that people understand that it isn’t just forced labour like this – victims can be sexually exploited, or forced into committing crimes.”

Convictions in full: 

  • John Rooney (31) of Drinsey Nook, Sheffield Road, Saxilby – Conspiracy to require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour, Conspiracy to defraud, Fraud by false representation, Theft (two counts).
  • Patrick Rooney (31) of Drinsey Nook, Sheffield Road, Saxilby – Conspiracy to require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour, Fraud by abuse of position, Assault occasioning actual bodily harm, Theft (two counts).
  • Bridget Rooney (55) of Drinsey Nook, Sheffield Road, Saxilby – Conspiracy to require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour
  • Martin Rooney (35) of Sainfoin Farm, Gatemoor Lane, Beaconsfield – Conspiracy to defraud, Converting criminal property (two counts)
  • Martin Rooney (57) of Drinsey Nook, Sheffield Road, Saxilby – Conspiracy to require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour, Unlawful wounding
  • Martin Rooney (23) of Drinsey Nook, Sheffield Road, Saxilby – Conspiracy to require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour, Assault occasioning actual bodily harm
  • Patrick Rooney (54) of Sainfoin Farm, Gatemoor Lane, Beaconsfield – Converting criminal property
  • John Rooney (53) of Chantry Croft, Pontefract – Conspiracy to require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour (two counts)
  • Peter Doran (36) of Washingborough Road, Lincoln – Conspiracy to require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour
  • Gerard Rooney (46) of Washingborough Road, Lincoln – Conspiracy to require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour
  • Lawrence Rooney (47)currently in prison – Conspiracy to require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour

The following two individuals were found not guilty of these counts:

  • Eileen Rooney  (32) of Drinsey Nook, Sheffield Road, Saxilby – Conspiracy to require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour, Theft, Fraud.
  • Nora Rooney (31) of Drinsey Nook, Sheffield Road, Saxilby – Conspiracy to require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour.