Two defendants facing modern slavery charges at Derby Crown Court are being represented by barristers Talbir Singh and Tom Schofield of No5 Barristers’ Chambers.

A total of 11 people from the same family are on trial following anti-slavery raids at a series of addresses in Derby in September last year.

It is alleged they secured passports and arranged transport and accommodation for workers from Latvia to work in the UK, and that they then controlled the workers’ finances and living conditions.

The defendants Ainars Pelcis, 54, of Rutland Street; Ilgvars Pelcis , 33, of St James Road; Karlis Aleksandrovs, 42, of Patmore Square and Magdalena Kleina, 54, of Rutland Street; Jolanta Pelce, 35, of Patmore Square; Jana Pelce, 32, St James Road; Mareks Kaira, 25, Reeves Road; Madara Stromane, 24, of Rutland Road; Karens Pelcis, 25, Vincent Street, Andris Krauklis, 39, of Vincent Street and Imitra Didzus, 32, who was living in Latvia at the time of his arrest, have been charged with conspiracy offences linked to slavery, trafficking and exploitation. They have all denied the charges.

Talbir Singh is representing Ilgavars Pelcis and Tom Schofield Karens Pelcis in the ongoing trial at Nottingham Crown Court.