Slavery victim wins payout as ‘others die waiting’
A vulnerable man enslaved for nearly 26 years has received a “record payout” after his family sued the government for inadequate compensation.
Known only as Victim A, he waited so long for restitution that his captors, who beat him, fed him scraps, and forced him to lay driveways for little or no pay, have already been released from prison.
His sister stated that the £352,000 compensation payment will provide round-the-clock care for her “lovely brother.”
However, lawyers criticized the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) as “not fit for purpose,” noting that other victims died before they could take similar action. CICA reported awarding over £165m to survivors in 2023/24.
Victim A, who was in his fifties, was held in squalor by the Rooney family at a travellers’ site in Lincolnshire while they lived in luxury.
The family violently exploited their victims, often targeting homeless people or men with learning disabilities, according to a 2017 trial at Nottingham Crown Court.
When 11 family members were convicted, it was the largest modern slavery case in British legal history.
The Rooneys had amassed a £4m fortune from their driveway business, and in a 2019 Proceeds of Crime hearing, they were ordered to repay £1m, mostly to their victims.
However, Victim A’s sister, who once presumed her brother was dead, said he never received “adequate compensation,” being awarded just £12,428 by the court.
Seven years after the trial, she took action to secure a payout from CICA, an agency of the Ministry of Justice.
Remaining anonymous to protect her brother’s identity, she expressed her “incandescent rage” over the long wait for justice.
His wait meant he had been unable to fund rehabilitation for injuries inflicted by his captors.
She said she “only wishes the money could fix him, but it won’t”.
“What we got back was not the man that left us,” she added.
Like many victims of slavery, Victim A could not get Legal Aid to help him secure compensation.
Solicitor Liam Symonds, of the law firm Freshfields, who represented him on a pro bono basis, said he hoped the case “might be… a platform for other survivors to bring their own claims”.
Solicitor Jamila Duncan-Bosu, from the Anti-trafficking and Exploitation Unit – a charity which works exclusively with victims of modern day slavery and trafficking – believes this is a record payout by CICA to a victim.
She said: “He’s been treated appallingly and that sum of money reflects the level of injury that he suffered.
However, she said it was “absolutely unfair” that others had died before receiving compensation.
“There are many victims of trafficking who suffered equally serious treatment, who should equally be able to get awards of compensation.
“I’ve personally had four clients die whilst waiting for compensation from CICA.”
Nine out of 10 victims of slavery are initially refused compensation, according to the charity’s research. It said CICA was “broken” and demanded it be reformed.
“CICA is not fit for purpose when it comes to victims of modern day slavery, despite it being incredibly common,” said Ms Duncan-Bosu.
“Compensation is paramount for victims of trafficking, for rehabilitation and to help them rebuild their lives, to stop that cycle of exploitation.
“It could be somebody who is working as a nanny or a housekeeper, it’s the people who are working in nail bars, in car washes, individuals who are working in forced labour on building sites.”
A government spokesperson said: “This was an awful crime and our thoughts remain with the affected individual and his family.
“CICA provides compensation to people who were injured as a result of a violent crime and has paid out over £165m to victims in 2023/24.
“We recognise that payment can never fully compensate for the injuries suffered but it can often help brave survivors move on with their lives.”
The compensation scheme does not make bespoke provision for victims of human trafficking and modern slavery.
Ms Duncan-Bosu said another problem faced by former slaves was that Legal Aid was not ordinarily available to help them apply for compensation.
“The Rooneys had access to advice and assistance [during their trial, as did the victim], she said. “The victim should also have had access to legal advice and assistance for his compensation matters.”
The BBC has contacted the Legal Aid Authority for comment.
