TWO people have appeared in court in connection with slavery charges.
David Porter, 63, and Mary Linda Turner, 61, both of Cold Harbour, Wareham, denied four counts of holding another person in slavery or servitude.
They also denied a charge of failing to notify the authorities of a change in circumstances which would affect entitlement to benefits at the hearing at Weymouth Magistrates Court this morning.
The court heard that the charges relate to four different alleged victims, two men and two women, one of whom is alleged to have been held for decades.
Speaking only to confirm their names and deny the charges, the co-defendants were allowed by magistrates to sit at the back of the courtroom instead of in the dock due to their ill health.
They were both released on bail with conditions not to contact any of the alleged victims.
Magistrates did not accept jurisdiction of the case and ordered it to be heard at Dorchester Crown Court where the next hearing will take place on October 31.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article