A MAN previously involved with the running of a Barrow car wash has been convicted of modern slavery crimes committed against workers in north Cumbria.

During a lengthy trial at Carlisle Crown Court, jurors heard graphic evidence about terrible conditions in which employees at the city’s Shiny car wash on Warwick Road were forced to operate.

Several told of working long hours for little pay and being denied breaks and time off during 2016 and 2017.

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One described being left “very tired”, hungry and with just £20 in his first pay packet as he worked nine long days in a row. He was also one of several workers who complained that no protective clothing was provided.

One worker recalled buying cheap gloves from Tesco to protect his hands from cleaning chemicals which, some employees complained, burned the skin on their face and body.

Workers also reported rat and insect infestation sightings in their “very dirty” Carlisle multi-occupancy accommodation having paid for transportation from their native Romania.

Travel costs and deposits were deducted from weekly pay while wage slips, where issued, understated working hours and overstated sums of money earned.

One worker told police: “They treated me the same like they would do with a slave.”

Defrim Paci, a 42-year-old married father-of-four, was said to have “operated at the top” of the criminal enterprise, buying land and setting up a business which was managed by Sitar Ali.

After a lengthy trial, Paci, of Windmill Close, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire; and Ali, of Adelaide Street, Carlisle, were yesterday unanimously convicted of conspiracy to require others to perform forced or compulsory labour at Shiny; and conspiracy to facilitate travel with a view to exploitation.

Jurors deliberated for almost 27 hours across six days.

Ali was also convicted of possessing criminal property

Jurors were told: “Between October, 2008, and November 2009, Defrim Paci was involved in the running of Shiny Car Wash, Loughborough and Shiny Car Wash, Barrow. Defrim Paci also held the leasehold for the land at Shiny Car Wash, Barrow.”

Paci also held the lease for a Salthouse Road in which some workers resided.

No Barrow business interests have been or are the subject of any criminal proceedings.

Paci and Ali will be sentenced on July 30. Judge Nicholas Barker remanded both men into custody.

n A third man, 37-year-old Jetmir Paci, was acquitted by jurors on two charges.