Gangmasters fined after agency illegally supplied workers to factory
Two men who acted as unlicensed gangmasters for an eight-month period have been fined following an investigation by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA).
John Day and Mark Baker illegally supplied 18 workers to a food processing factory in Bedfordshire from late June 2016 until February 2017.
The GLAA prosecuted the pair after investigations into Le Puy and Pinnacle Staffing Ltd, agencies run by Day and trading as Harpur Recruitment.
Both companies went into insolvency during the investigation.
Day and Baker were both sentenced at Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 19 March after previously pleading guilty to acting as unlicensed gangmasters at a hearing in December 2019.
Day, 54, of Whittington Chase, Kingsmead, was fined £700, plus a victim surcharge of £70 and costs of £85.
Baker, 42, of Nevill Close, Hanslope, received a fine of £240. He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £32.
GLAA senior investigating officer Jennifer Baines said: “Acting as an unlicensed gangmaster is a serious offence, which can potentially leave some of the most vulnerable workers in society at risk of exploitation.
• Comment below on this story. You can also tweet us to tell us your thoughts or share this story with a friend. Our editorial email is [email protected]
