A couple are facing prison after being found guilty of keeping a roommate as a slave and forcing him to live “like Harry Potter” in a cupboard under the stairs.
Ion Boboc, 26, and Christiana Tudor-Dobre, 24, were sentenced at Bristol Crown Court in the UK after the court heard that Gabriel Nicolae, 31, was forced to drink from a garden hose and use the woods to go to the toilet.
Mr Nicolae had to eat spicy food, dance, complete physical challenges and was pelted with eggs and flour.
Although he worked full-time at a slaughterhouse, Mr. Nicolae earned just enough money to buy his bus tickets and about $1.80 a day for biscuits.
The court heard that he used the cupboard under the stairs as a bedroom, like “the wizard’s apprentice Harry Potter”.
Documents such as his identity card, bank card, financial records and several telephone contracts were found in a bedroom used by Boboc and Tudor-Dobre.
The jury also heard that the victim was filmed carrying out tasks given to him by the defendants.
Mr Nicolae finally explained that he had to wash his clothes in the city centre and that he was not allowed to eat or wash in the house and was forbidden to use the kitchen.
Ben Samples, for the prosecution, praised Mr Nicolae for providing evidence and supporting the prosecution despite his treatment.
“I would also like to thank the citizens who have contacted the police with their concerns,” Mr Samples said.
“Modern slavery often takes place in secret and only with the support of such witnesses will we defeat it in Britain.
“Finally, I would like to pay tribute to Avon and Somerset Police who responded swiftly to the report and, working with the CPS South West Complex Case Unit, built a strong case against the defendants.”
The couple will be sentenced in March.
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