Swindon man charged with labour and drugs offences

A man has been charged with various offences including child exploitation and class A drugs supply following an extensive investigation by the Swindon Local Policing Tasking Team (LPTT).

Lewis Morton, 23, of Fairford Crescent, Penhill, has been charged with:

• Requiring a person to perform forced or compulsory labour;
• Being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug, namely crack cocaine and heroin;
• Possession with intent to supply a controlled class A drug, namely cocaine, heroin and MDMA;
• Possession with intent to supply a controlled class B drug, namely cannabis;
• Acquire / use / possess criminal property
• Possess an air weapon when prohibited for life; and
• Four counts of possessing an offensive weapon in private place – namely push daggers, zombie knife and curved blade of 50cms or more.

He appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court this morning (06/11) and has been remanded into custody.

DC Will Saunders of the LPTT said: “This charge follows a complex investigation into child exploitation and the subsequent drugs supply within the local community.

“Child exploitation is the grooming and/or enslavement of children and young people for the purposes of making money through selling drugs, other illicit items, and sexual exploitation.

“Criminal gangs, often known as county line gangs, recruit and groom young people to transport and deliver drugs. Violence and intimidation are used to control and trap children and to isolate them from their families and schools. Young people, in particular girls, are also being sexually exploited, while vulnerable adults are also at risk.

“Signs to look out for include unexplained money, gifts or items, young people being picked up and dropped off by unknown people, missing episodes, multiple phones, and changes in behaviour, for example becoming more withdrawn.

“Anyone with any concerns around young people that are being exploited can be reported to Wiltshire Police via 101 or our online submission forms or anonymously via Crimestoppers.”