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Midland woman appears in court over slavery

A woman has appeared in court accused of knowingly using four people for slave labour.

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Vasilica Panaghita, aged 54, faced four counts of slavery, servitude or forced compulsory labour, knowing the victims were being held against their will.

Panaghita, of Alum Rock Road, Birmingham, is accused of carrying out the offences in the Alum Rock area between September 2011 and the date of her arrest on January 7 this year, Birmingham Crown Court yesterday. It is alleged the victims were forced to go collecting scrap metal around the area, using prams.

Judge Sybil Thomas adjourned the case.

She will appear at the court on May 2 for a plea and case management hearing. A trial date is set for June 9.

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