A jury have been sworn in the trial of eight Huddersfield people accused of people trafficking.
All eight defendants - four women and four men - appeared at Leeds Crown Court today to stand trial charged with conspiracy to traffic persons into the UK for the purposes of exploitation.
The alleged offences took place between January 3, 2006 and 31 December 2013.
The men and women, are: Raheela Bibi, 41, of Lockwood Road, Ahjaz Hussain, 34, of Victoria Road in Lockwood, Shahbaz Hussain, 38, of St Stephen’s Road in Lockwood, 41, Muhammad Iqbal, 46, of Yews Mount in Lockwood, Shahnaz Iqbal, 52, of Kaffir Road in Edgerton, Mohammed Sarfraz, 34, of Victoria Road in Lockwood, Hajrah Sarfraz, 37, of Victoria Road in Lockwood, and Nisa Ulhaq, 39, of The Fairway in Fixby.
The group are alleged to have intended to exploit the people involved by subjecting them to force, threats or deception designed to induce them to provide their services in the fashion/tailoring and domestic service trade.
Ulhaq is further charged with facilitating the commission of a breach of UK immigration law by a non EU person.
The alleged offence relates to her representation of a woman at an immigration appeal against the refusal of her entry into the UK.
Judge Spencer QC asked jurors, whether they had knowledge of or concerns with the following: Ezaah Taylorz, Ezaah Boutique, Haq and Sanderson, The Asylum and Immigration and Appeals Tribunal at Bradford, UK Border Agency, Home Office, Lex Immigration, Uk Property Rentals, A&J Trust, Intercom Ltd, Nimra Properties, TM Fortis Solicitors or the Police.
A jury of seven men and five women were sworn in the case and were warned them to not speak about the case to anyone.
The prosecution were due to open their case today but Judge Spencer allowed extra time, at counsels' request, and it will now open at 10am on Wednesday at Leeds Crown Court.
All eight defendants deny all charges.
