Hand Car Wash Horror: Hidden Room Sparks Slavery Order
Rasa Zubaviciute was slapped with a Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order (STRO) after Derbyshire police uncovered a secret room at a Chesterfield hand car wash. The chilling discovery came on 30 July 2020 at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court.
Secret Room Revealed Behind Sofa
Officers from Derbyshire’s Modern Slavery Team raided the business on Brimington Road, Tapton. Through a hole concealed by a sofa, they found a hidden room stacked with mattresses, airbeds, food, and suitcases. The evidence sparked serious concerns about potential exploitation.
Strict Orders Hit Zubaviciute
Zubaviciute, from Chatsworth Road, Chesterfield, was hit with a range of tough restrictions:
- No arranging accommodation for anyone but immediate family
- No possession of passports, bank cards, or documents belonging to others
- Must notify Derbyshire police and pay national minimum wage for any workers employed
Busted Breach Lands Suspended Jail
She was charged on 12 January 2021 after a passing officer spotted more workers than declared at the site. At North East Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court, Zubaviciute admitted breaching the STRO. On 12 April, she was slammed with 24 weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months, forced to complete 180 hours unpaid work, and pay £213 costs.
The original STRO stays in place until 2025.
“As a force we take the kinds of offences perpetrated by the likes of Rasa Zubaviciute extremely seriously,” stated DC Dannielle Jewitt, lead investigator.
“This case shows our specialist officers working closely with local safer neighbourhood teams – the eyes and ears of the force.
I hope this sends a stark warning to anyone exploiting vulnerable people. We are alert, and we will bring you to justice.”
Derbyshire police continue to tackle modern slavery through a countywide partnership alongside local authorities and agencies to monitor and enforce STROs.
