A man and woman have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in a human trafficking scheme that exploited a man at a McDonald’s in Cambridgeshire. Jan Drevenak, 39, and Monika Olahova, 41, were convicted of arranging transportation for exploitation and enslaving a person, as part of a larger operation that coerced 12 individuals from eastern Europe to work in different locations in Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. The trial concluded the legal proceedings related to this family-run trafficking network, with Drevenak’s brothers previously receiving jail sentences.
The victim, who had lost his job, was lured by Jan Drevenak in the Czech Republic in 2017 with promises of work and housing in the UK. After his arrival in early 2018, he was taken to Derby and later to Bedford, where he resided with Drevenak. The victim was employed at a McDonald’s in Caxton Gibbet, enduring strenuous 12-hour shifts six days a week. Drevenak controlled the victim’s finances, diverting most of his wages to Olahova’s account, providing the victim with only a fraction of what he earned.
The victim, who was subjected to physical assaults, eventually escaped and sought refuge with another brother. Police intervened in October 2019 following a report of exploitation at McDonald’s, leading to the arrest and conviction of Drevenak and Olahova. The couple was sentenced to prison terms, facing deportation after serving a portion of their sentences. The court emphasized the gravity of modern slavery and the violation of human dignity suffered by the victim.
Law enforcement officials highlighted the importance of public awareness and reporting of modern slavery cases, commending McDonald’s for collaborating during the investigation and implementing preventive measures. McDonald’s reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the welfare of its employees and pledged to combat modern slavery in partnership with governmental and non-governmental organizations.