Three jailed for trafficking women to West and South Yorkshire for sex work
The victims were lured to the UK on the promise of legitimate jobs
Three people have been jailed after being found guilty of trafficking women into the UK and forcing them into sex work into West and South Yorkshire.
It follows a 10 year investigation into offences dating back to 2015 and 2016.
Polish nationals Wieslaw Michniewicz, aged 53, Aleksandra Timoszek, aged 32, and Mariusz Seretny, aged 45, were convicted of modern slavery and controlling prostitution offences, involving the exploitation of 14 victims.
Michniewicz was sentenced to 15 years, Timoszek received a seven-and-a-half-year sentence, while Seretny was given five years.
A fourth defendant, Marta Seretny, aged 41, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to control prostitution for gain and sentenced to a 12-month community order.
Authorities first opened the investigation in July 2016 after receiving an anonymous letter, later confirmed to have been sent by one of the victims.
Michniewicz and Timoszek initially targeted vulnerable women in Poland, promising legitimate jobs in childcare, bars, or shops in the UK. Others believed they were travelling for romantic relationships.
Once in the UK, victims were housed at the couple’s address in Willow Avenue, Burley, Leeds, and forced to repay supposed debts by entering sex work.
They endured daily exploitation at massage parlours in Leeds and Sheffield, working long hours and surrendering all earnings to the couple.
Seretny assisted by organising travel bookings, advertising on sex work websites, and transferring money overseas. His wife Marta had a supporting role in the victims’ prostitution.
A September 2016 police raid of the Willow Avenue address discovered £160,000 in cash, ledgers mapping victims’ debts, mobile phones containing evidence, and large amounts of transfer receipts.
Several women were found and safeguarded by police.
The investigation also led to the seizure of luxury cars, including a Porsche Panamera, a Porsche Carrera, and an Audi R8.
Police traced Michniewicz and Timoszek after they fled the UK before charges were filed in 2023. Both were extradited and remanded in custody for trial.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Helen Steele of West Yorkshire Police:
“These four were involved in an organised criminal enterprise that cruelly targeted vulnerable women and preyed on their hopes of a better life with legitimate employment in the UK"
“Instead, the victims found themselves being controlled and forced into sex work where they were relentlessly exploited and treated purely as commodities to make money from.
“The victims have each suffered harrowing experiences and have been left understandably traumatised by the ordeals they were put through. We hope that it will help them in some way to know that those responsible have now been brought to justice.
“Modern slavery offences are truly abhorrent, and we remain absolutely committed to doing everything we can to target those involved.
"This is a crime that is often hidden in plain sight, and we would urge members of the public to report any suspicions they have that this type of exploitation is taking place to us immediately.”
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