March 13, 2018 5.13 pm This story is over 72 months old

Another Rooney in court over modern slavery charges with driveways business

He targeted homeless or alcoholic men.

Another member of the Rooney family is on trial accused of modern slavery.

45-year-old Joseph Rooney from Washingborough deliberately targeted victims who were homeless or alcoholics, Leicester Crown Court was told.

The court heard vulnerable men were forced to pave driveways for little or no money and live in squalid conditions.

Rooney denied one count of conspiracy to require persons to perform forced or compulsory labour and also denied three counts of causing actual bodily harm.

The prosecution claims he preyed upon five men and the offences are alleged to have taken place between 2010 and 2014.

As previously reported, nine members of the notorious traveller family based in Lincoln were handed jail sentences totalling nearly 80 years for running a modern-day slavery camp.

The trial continues.