Stoke woman convicted following campaign of 'violence and exploitation'

Jurors at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court returned a total of 13 guilty verdicts

Author: Grace O'HarePublished 17th Oct 2025
Last updated 17th Oct 2025

A Stoke-on-Trent woman who carried out a nearly two-year campaign of violence and exploitation has been found guilty of multiple offences in court.

The modern slavery and human trafficking team in Staffordshire say they worked relentlessly to pursue the conviction of Anna Stukova, 30, from Tunstall, and to help safeguard the victim, a vulnerable woman.

Jurors at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court returned a total of 13 guilty verdicts against Stukova (Wednesday 15 October) following a trial.

Police say between January 2023 and November last year, Stukova bullied and intimidated the victim, forcing her to steal from and break into shops.

In a statement the force claim Stukova also stole from the victim, beat her up on several occasions, told her that she would kill her, threatened her with a bladed object and made her undergo sex work for money.

Stukova has been convicted of:

  • Two counts of requiring a person to perform forced or compulsory labour
  • One count of sexual assault
  • Threatening a person with a blade/sharply pointed article in a public place
  • Two counts of assault by beating
  • Two counts of assaulting a person thereby occasioning them actual bodily harm
  • Three counts of intimidating a witness/juror
  • Theft from the person or another
  • Theft (other) including theft by finding

Stukova was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on Monday 8 December.

Detective Constable Jennie Holland, investigating, said: “We are proud to support the victim in this case who has shown immense bravery in supporting our investigation. This was a lengthy investigation and I am pleased our work has led to justice for her.

“We are dedicated to protecting vulnerable people and we rely on information from our communities to continue tackling exploitation and modern slavery in Staffordshire.

“If you are worried about possible exploitation in your area, or you have concerns about someone who may be a victim, please contact us.”

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