The first ever case of human trafficking in Cheshire ended on 23 January 2009, with the sentencing of Cai Hong Yang, 44, at Warrington Crown Court.
Yang received 16 months for the police charges against her, and an additional four months for charges of benefit fraud, brought against her by the Department of Work and Pensions. She also received a confiscation order for the sum of £42,095 for proceeds made from her business activities and cash obtained from state benefits.
On 11 December 2008, Yang, of Moorcot Court, Manchester, appeared before Judge David Hale at Chester Crown Court and pleaded guilty to four counts of managing a brothel, one count of controlling prostitution for gain and one count of trafficking a human being within the UK for sexual exploitation.
Cai Hong Yang, a Chinese national, was arrested as part of Cheshire’s response to Operation Pentameter, a national operation which aims to rescue and protect victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation. As well as aiming to identify and disrupt those involved in criminal activity, the operation is intended to increase the knowledge and understanding of human trafficking in the UK and raise awareness of the issue.Yang, who has operated under several aliases, including Nelly Yang and Tara Lee, used premises in Egerton Street, Albert Street and Sellar Street in Chester and Delamere Court in Crewe to conduct her activities.
Commenting on the case, DS Mark Fletcher said: “This is the first trafficking conviction ever in Cheshire and clearly shows our determination to deal with those who exploit others. The fact that Yang received a custodial sentence reflects the very serious nature of these offences and the tireless work that officers from Cheshire Police have undertaken over the past two years.”
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