Scarborough offender jailed for modern slavery offences
Robert Viv Chinchen, 37, of no fixed address, has been sent to prison for two years and eight months
A Scarborough man has been jailed, for two years and eight months, thanks to the initiative of the local Neighbourhood Policing Team, which made use of legislation, designed to protect victims of modern slavery.
Robert Viv Chinchen, 37, of no fixed address, was sentenced at York Crown Court today (Tuesday 15 September 2026), having pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching a Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order (STRO).
Initially put in place as an interim measure against Chinchen in July last year and then as a five-year full STRO from 31 October, the civil order effectively banned the prolific offender, from the Barrowcliff estate, where he had been making people’s lives a misery.
Failure to comply with a STRO is a criminal offence, which can result in imprisonment for up to five years.
Taking on board best practice from other police forces in the country, the Scarborough Neighbourhood Policing Team found out that it could make use of the civil legislation, to deal with Chinchen.
This was the first time an interim and full STRO has been used in North Yorkshire.
Chinchen repeatedly breached the order, including attending properties on Elders Street on 30 June and on Queen Street between 3-7 July this year, which he admitted at York Magistrates’ Court on 25 August.
Inspector Craig Regan, of the Scarborough Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We welcome the prison sentence that has been handed to Robert Chinchen. It is the result of excellent police work and outstanding community partnership, that we have built in Scarborough.
“This outcome sends a warning to others who target, manipulate, intimidate and exploit vulnerable people. We will work with our partners and use every available power, to rid you from our communities.”