Hillhouse family cleared of people trafficking – judge slams victim’s TV appearance

THREE members of a Huddersfield family walked free from court after being cleared of people trafficking.

But the verdicts came at a huge cost to the taxpayer.

Their case had to be sent for re-trial after it emerged that victim Katarzyna Bluhm had been interviewed by former EastEnders star Ross Kemp for a TV documentary.

Overall the cost to the taxpayers could be at least £430,000.

In a ruling which could not be published until now, Judge John Potter said: “The delay is as a direct result, in my judgement, of the unwise decision taken by the television production company to interview the complainant prior to the trial starting.

“This has been compounded by the Crown failing to disclose the existence of this material prior to the first day of trial despite the police being aware of its significance.

“This has caused significant public cost.”

said they were all lies and denied taking money from her or assaulting her.

Ms Bluhm’s credibility was a key issue in the case and during the first trial it emerged she had been interviewed for a documentary programme prior to giving evidence.

During that TV interview Ms Bluhm made further serious allegations.

After legal arguments took the case to the Court of Appeal in London, the case began again as a re-trial five weeks ago and the jury yesterday returned not guilty verdicts on all but one charge.

Mr Cwikla, his wife Barbara Markowska, 43, and son Robert, 27, were all cleared of involvement in trafficking Ms Bluhm for exploitation following her arrival in this country in June 2008.

Mr Cwikla was also found not guilty of trafficking Ms Bluhm for exploitation by arranging for her to travel to the UK.

Robert Cwikla, of Macaulay Street, faced another allegation relating to his possession of £4,740 in £20 notes which the prosecution said was some of Ms Bluhm’s wages from her work at a food company in Liversedge.

The jury acquitted Robert Cwikla on that charge.

Wojciech Cwikla was cleared of assaulting Ms Bluhm, but the jury convicted him of common assault in relation to an attack on a male friend of hers.

After being told that Wojciech Cwikla had already spent five months in custody during the course of the proceedings Judge Potter sentenced him to a 12-month conditional discharge for the offence of common assault.