A 57-year-old Sydney woman charged with possessing and exercising ownership over two people has today (Friday, 15 November 2019) been sentenced to eight years imprisonment.
In 2007, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) received a referral from the Department of ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Affairs – then known as the Department of Immigration and Citizenship – regarding allegations a then 45-year-old Sydney woman was responsible for enslaving two people.
The AFP commenced an investigation into these allegations with one victim located. In 2010, the second victim was located and statements were taken.
The woman departed Australia in 2011.
In 2012, an arrest warrant was issued for the woman on two charges of possessing and exercising ownership over a slave, contrary to section 270.3(1) (a) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
The AFP arrested the woman upon her arrival back into Australia in June 2017. She was charged with:
- Two counts of possessing slaves contrary to section 270.3(1) (a) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
- Two counts of exercising over slaves any of the powers attaching to the right of ownership, namely the right to use, contrary to section 270.3(1) (a) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
- Two counts of dealing in the proceeds of crime, namely money worth $10,000 or more, contrary to section 400.6(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
In May 2019, after a trial in the Downing District Court she was found guilty of all six charges and remanded in custody for sentencing.
Today (Friday, 15 November 2019), the woman was sentenced in the Parramatta District Court to eight years, two months and 30 days imprisonment, commencing 15 May 2019. She will be eligible for parole in 2024.
