The High Court today handed down judgment in favour of six Lithuanian men who were trafficked to the UK and claim to have been severely exploited by the British company that employed them, DJ Houghton Catching Services Limited and company officers...

The judge, Justice Supperstone, found in favour of the Claimants on several key aspects of their claims including that they were not paid according to minimum wage requirements for agricultural workers...
The Houghton Defendants were also found to have charged prohibited fees, unlawfully withheld wages, and failed to ensure the workers had adequate facilities to wash, rest, eat and drink...

"This is the first time the High Court has ruled in favour of victims of trafficking against a British company" said Shanta Martin, the partner from law firm Leigh Day who is representing the claimants.

"It is an extremely important step towards proper compensation for our clients and should be seen as a warning to British companies that they must eradicate all forms of modern slavery from their businesses, whether in the UK or elsewhere"...