Rhys Rosser acts in Modern Slavery case

Rhys Rosser, led by Adrian Rohard and instructed by Nicola Hall of Tuckers Solicitors, represented the first defendant to be tried for Modern Slavery offences allegedly committed whilst under 18.

The defendant was involved in a large scale county lines operation in the Maidstone and Gravesend area. This involved recruiting persons under 18 to sell drugs across Kent. The defendant relied upon Section 45 of the Modern Slavery Act in that he himself had been trafficked and exploited.

The modern slavery offences were the subject of a successful submission of no case to answer. The defendant was also acquitted of two offences of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, but was convicted of two others.

Rhys has authored an article discussing whether or not Section 45 represents a loophole or lifeline, and the complexities of the offences in light of lessons learned from the case and comments from the Magistrates Association.