The former owner of a Scots hotel has been jailed over human trafficking offences.
Shamsul Arefin, 47, was sentenced today to three years’ imprisonment after being convicted of trafficking four workers from Bangladesh.
He was found guilty earlier this month of breaches of the Asylum and Immigration Act while he was the owner of a hotel in Argyll, the Crown Office said.
Arefin recruited the men from his native Bangladesh, offering them jobs as chefs.
They were told they would need to pay him substantial sums of money in return for the employment which, at the trial at Fort William Sheriff Court, Arefin described as a “deposit” to be returned if they remained in his employment for five years.
But on arrival their salary was reduced, their working hours exceeded those stated in their contract and their duties extended beyond the kitchen.
Police said Arefin was “driven by financial greed” and had no regard for the “poor” conditions of the workers.
Arefin carried out the offences between 2008 and 2010 when he was the owner of the Stewart Hotel near Appin.
Speaking after sentencing, Kath Harper, national lead prosecutor for human trafficking at the Crown Office, said: “Arefin’s greed had life-changing implications not just for his victims but for their families and others who supported them.
“Human trafficking can come in many forms and as prosecutors we are committed to doing all we can to eradicate it from Scotland.”
The situation came to light following an investigation by the UK Border Agency and the then Northern Constabulary.
Police Scotland Detective Inspector Richard Baird said: “Human trafficking is a despicable crime where the offenders prey on desperate people who travel to the UK under the premise of a better life and available work.
“Shamsul Arefin was driven by financial greed and held no regard for the working conditions of those in his employment. This was apparent by the poor condition that his victims were subject to through working long hours at no extra pay and often with substandard equipment and working supplies.
“In bringing this individual to justice we have disrupted, if not dismantled, one more illegal enterprise and hopefully saved other potential victims from inevitable suffering.”
Kevin Hyland, independent anti-slavery commissioner, said: “The victims of these particular crimes endured exploitation and abuse many thought was a distant memory of the past.”