Pair who made vulnerable Nigerian woman 'perform forced labour' to be sentenced next month
The couple admitted keeping the woman as a domestic slave in their then Castlereagh Place home in Belfast for a ten-month period
Precious Izekor and her husband John at Belfast Crown Court where they appeared in the dock in the first ever forced labour ‘slavery’ case to be tried in Northern Ireland.
A couple who made a vulnerable Nigerian woman 'perform forced labour' in their east Belfast home will be sentenced for the slavery offence later this month, a court has heard.
Osarobo 'John' Izekor (36) and his 29-year-old wife Precious Izekor will also have to pay their victim £10,000 in compensation.
The husband and wife, with an address at Ashmount Gardens in Lisburn, admitted that on dates between September 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017 they ‘required another person to perform forced or compulsory labour’.
Whilst the victim was forced to carry out domestic duties, a majority of the criminality by the Izekors was unpaid childcare.
The case, which was heard at Belfast Crown Court, is one of the first prosecutions under the Human Trafficking and Exploitation Act (NI) 2015.
The couple admitted keeping the Nigerian woman as a domestic slave in their then Castlereagh Place home in Belfast for a ten-month period.
Crown barrister Charles MacCreanor said the woman - who could not read or write - arrived in Northern Ireland in 2011 and worked as a nanny for a five-year period.
When her employer returned to Nigeria in Autumn 2016, she moved into Castlereagh Place and was told money would be sent back to her family for any work she undertook.
During the ten-month period of offending, the woman had her own room and was given food and clothes - but was not paid any money.
Read more
In addition, the Izekors had possession of her passport and other documents, which she didn't have access to.
Mr MacCreanor said that whilst living with the Izekors, the woman was in contact with a relative of John's, who expressed a desire for her to return to Nigeria so they could get married.
This relative asked the woman about her documentation and visa status, and when she raised this issue with Precious, an argument ensued.
Despite her request for her documents, they were not handed over to the woman and the argument led to a "deterioration of relations".
Following this, the woman tried to look for her passport and other documents when Precious Izekor was out. A few days later, she left the Izekors and went to stay with a friend.
This friend, the court heard, was concerned for the woman, felt she was being exploited and accompanied her to the Home Office.
When a Home Office official called at the Izekors' home, Precious was asked about the woman, and denied knowing her.
An investigation was launched which resulted in the involvement of the PSNI and the subsequent arrests of both John and Precious Izekor.
During his police interview, John Izekor initially denied any wrong-doing and made the case they were letting the women stay in their home and were helping her.
In her interview, Precious told officers the woman was a family friend and was never asked to do any form of work or labour.
Mr MacCreanor said there were text messages between the husband and wife which indicated the control they had over the woman whilst she was living with them.
He also said that she spoke to police about her ordeal, the woman said she felt isolated and alone whilst living with the couple.
Defence barrister Barry Gibson, representing John Ikezor, said that following his arrest his client spent three months on remand.
He also spoke of Izekor's university education, extensive work history and his clear criminal record.
Precious Izekor's barrister Gavan Duffy QC revealed there was a former good relationship between the two women, and said there was a complete lack of violence or physical assault.
After listening to submissions from both the Crown and defence, Judge Richard Greene QC spoke of the complexities of the case and said he wanted to consider several issues before passing sentence.
After being told that the Izekors had previously lodged £10,000 to the court to act as a surety for bail, the judge ordered that this money be paid to the woman they kept as a domestic slave.
Judge Greene told the couple the charge they pleaded guilty to was "an extremely serious offence" and released them on continuing bail ahead of sentencing, which is set to take place on June 27.
Today's Headlines
EXCLUSIVE | Kinahan cartel links help East Belfast UVF ‘spread wings’ into international drug trade
'violent disorder' | Brothers Glen Ward and Eric O’Driscoll sent for trial over alleged Finglas brawl
Recovery | Doireann Garrihy’s boyfriend Mark Mehigan opens up about his struggles with alcoholism
LATEST | Kinahan cartel gang boss Liam Byrne says he will fight extradition back to UK for trial
FREAK INJURY | ‘I see the funny side now’ – man breaks back after mum’s gravestone falls on top of him
ring girl | Former Miss Ireland announces she got engaged in stunning Santorini
SHocking | Boy violently attacked by gang of youths in park - police investigating footage
'lethal' | ‘It was crazy’ – Dublin homeless café manager describes shocking effects of ‘liquid ecstasy’
'most gifted' | Teen footballer killed in jet ski accident was ‘true hero on the pitch’, funeral told
'vacuous vanity' | Love Island is a ‘better looking Daíl’ with betrayal and backstabbing