Car Wash Slave Trader Jailed for Enslaving Eight Romanians
Hewa Margai, 45, from Mitcham, sentenced for brutal modern slavery offences. Kingston Crown Court handed down the verdict on 27 November after Margai was found guilty of exploiting eight Romanian victims.
Eight Romanians Lured, Trapped, and Exploited
Between November and December 2020, Margai tricked eight Romanian nationals—including a 15-year-old boy—into coming to the UK with fake promises of good jobs, decent pay, and housing. Instead, they were shoved into a cramped room at Margai’s car wash. There, they endured appalling conditions, denied basic rights, and suffered relentless physical and psychological abuse.
Covid Lockdown Worsened Horrific Abuse
The lockdown made things far worse. Victims were imprisoned inside the car wash, locked in with no access to passports or any freedom.
“Victims were confined to the premises and routinely abused,” the court heard.
Margai’s tough jail sentence sends a bold warning: the UK will not stand for modern slavery.
