Inside a modern-day slave camp... and the lavish home of their paymasters: Family forced homeless people to work for little or no money ... telling one to 'dig your own grave' (20 Pics)
The squalid conditions a victim had to live in
Members of a traveller family have been convicted of running a modern slavery ring which kept one of its captives in "truly shocking" conditions for decades.
Vulnerable people were forced to work for the Rooney clan for little or no wages, while their pay-masters lived a life of lavish luxury.
Operating from sites in Lincolnshire, they targeted victims who were homeless , had learning disabilities or complex drug and alcohol issues.
The 11 gang-members, convicted of fraud and slavery charges, enjoyed holidays to Barbados and cosmetic surgery and even shelled out on a Manchester United soccer school, earned off the backs of their workers.
Gang members revelled in luxurious holidays to Australia, Egypt and Mexico, high-performance BMWs, spa days and cosmetic surgery.
It was a far cry from what Chief Superintendent Nikki Mayo, who led an investigation into the crime, described as the "suffering" inflicted on the men they employed.
Labourers were forced to live in shabby run-down caravans, or in stables next to kennels, with little or no access to basics such as heating, water and toilets.
Some were forced to squat in woods behind their living areas, while electricity was "dangerously" tapped from a nearby pylon.
Shocking photographs demonstrate the stark contrast in living conditions.
Judge Timothy Spencer QC said: "After careful consideration, I'm quite satisfied the public interest lies in these matters being reported."
Members of the family would go looking for victims on the streets, hostels and shelters, offering work for food and accommodation.
But at sites in Drinsey Nook and Washingborough, the offers of fair work for fair pay were exposed as lies.
However, it was through false promises, drugs, alcohol and violence, family members made sure they kept their victims "financially-trapped" and under total control.
In all, 18 men were forced to work at the sites or for the Rooneys' businesses, repairing properties and tarmacking drives.
Most told how they were never given safety equipment or the right clothing.
The police said victims were also "poorly fed" and often went hungry - or were given the "family's left-overs", even though they were worked for hours on hard, manual tasks.
If victims complained, the gang would say they still owed money and would claim more labour to pay off the bogus debts.
The heartless gang provided alcohol and drugs as part of what prosecutors had described as a "grooming" process.
But as their hold on the victims increased, that illicit supply gave the clan an ever-tighter hold over their victims, including their bank accounts.
In some cases, the accounts were used to pay for gym memberships, soccer schools and building materials to supply the business.
The Rooneys also used "threats" and "violence", including punishment beatings, and the victims were denied medical help for their injuries and ailments.
The impact on the victims was severe, with many suffering mental and physical torment during their "gruelling and emotional" ordeal, said police.
The gang also targeted vulnerable home-owners, coercing them into signing over properties to them which were then sold on for profit.
Chief Superintendent Nikki Mayo said: "The tragedy in this case is that the victims will never get those years of their lives back - we believe one man was held for 26 years.
"The severity and gravity of the charges speak for themselves.
"Modern slavery is a cruel and extremely demoralising crime and it's important that people understand that it isn't just forced labour like this - victims can be sexually exploited, or forced into committing crimes."
She added many of the victims "have now got their lives back".
The charges:
John Rooney, 31, of Saxilby, Lincolnshire - conspiracy to require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour, conspiracy to defraud, fraud by false representation and two counts of theft.
Patrick Rooney, 31, of Saxilby - conspiracy to require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour, fraud by abuse of position, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and two counts of theft.
Bridget Rooney, 55, of Saxilby - conspiracy to require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour.
Martin Rooney, 35, of Beaconsfield - conspiracy to defraud, two counts of converting criminal property.
Martin Rooney, 57, of Saxilby - conspiracy to require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour and unlawful wounding.
Martin Rooney, 23, of Saxilby - conspiracy to require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Patrick Rooney, 54, of Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire - converting criminal property.
John Rooney, 53, of Pontefract, Yorkshire - two counts of conspiring to require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour.
Peter Doran, 36, of Lincoln - conspiracy to require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour.
Gerard Rooney, 46, of Lincoln - conspiracy to require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour.
Lawrence Rooney, 47, currently in prison - conspiracy to require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour.
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