Hewa Margai, 45, from Mitcham, locked up for enslaving eight Romanian victims. Kingston Crown Court handed down the sentence on 27 November after convicting Margai on multiple slavery charges.
Eight Romanian Victims Trapped and Exploited at Car Wash
Between November and December 2020, Margai lured eight Romanian nationals—including a 15-year-old boy—to the UK with false promises of good jobs, pay, and housing.
But once here, the victims faced horrific conditions. They were forced to live crammed into a tiny room at Margai’s car wash, denied basic rights, and subjected to relentless physical and psychological abuse.
Lockdown Made Abuse Even Worse
The Covid-19 lockdown turned the nightmare darker still. Victims were locked inside the car wash, barred from leaving or accessing their passports.
“Victims were confined to the premises and routinely abused,” the court heard.
Margai’s harsh sentence sends a clear message: UK won’t tolerate modern slavery.
