A COUPLE who ran two care homes in Worthing have appeared in court accused of people trafficking and exploitation.
Anbananden Chellapermal, 60, and his wife Seenyen, 55, from London, denied four counts of trafficking a person into the UK for exploitation when they appeared at Worthing Magistrates' Court on Thursday (July 3).
Hazel Merritt, prosecuting, alleged the four victims had been "lured to the UK on false pretences" from Mauritius with promises of a well-paid job.
Instead, she claimed, they were forced to work for up to 90 hours a week for £450 cash a month and effectively kept prisoner in the care homes where they worked.
CarersMs Merritt said Mr and Mrs Chellapermal were linked to an employment agency in Mauritius which provided carers for the couple's two Worthing homes - Carlton House, in St Lawrence Avenue, and Glen Eden, in Richmond Road.
She said Mrs Chellapermal had lied to police about not knowing one of the victims.
But on one occasion, said Ms Merritt, the victim in question was standing in the hallway at the home while officers spoke to the owner.
Ms Merritt said the homes were in an "extremely poor" condition and would imminently be closed down by social services.
PrisonerTiffany Meredith, defending Mrs Chellapermal, said all allegations were denied and the couple had ample opportunity to flee the country if they so wished in the three weeks between their first interviews with the police and their arrest.
She said the couple, both British citizens, had lived in the UK for 35 years and had a 20-year-old daughter at university in London - extensive ties they would not risk.
Neil Ross, defending Mr Chellapermal, said the alleged victims had arrived in the country in comfort and with their own documents.
He disputed they had been kept prisoner in the homes and said one of the alleged victims was completing an NVQ course.
Mr and Mrs Chellapermal were remanded in custody and their case will return to Worthing Magistrates' Court on Tuesday (July 8).
-------------------------------------
Click here to go back to Worthing news.Where are you? Add your pin to the Herald's international readers' map by clicking here.Email the Herald: letters@worthingherald.co.ukThe full article contains 376 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
