Police vow to fight sex 'slavery'

The gang set up a human trafficking network

Police have vowed to continue the fight against sex traffickers after an international gang was jailed.

The gang of seven set up a human trafficking network bringing women from the Czech Republic to the UK.

Preston Crown Court was told the gang operated in parts of Leeds, Manchester and Lancashire.

Det Insp Chris Wilde, who led the investigation, said the case identified "organised criminals" behind what he called "modern-day slavery."

He said: "We smashed an organised crime ring that was operating across international boundaries.

We stopped a lot of nasty people Det Insp Chris Wilde

"In doing so, we stopped a lot of nasty people who would otherwise still be trafficking."

The police investigation led to the identification of three Czech women, aged 20, 22 and 30, who had been brought to England.

Ladislav Kaco Snr, of Gathorne Terrace, Chapeltown, Leeds, admitted trafficking a woman to the UK from the Czech Republic, and was jailed for four years on 4 May.

He was given two years to run concurrently for controlling two other women, and was recommended for deportation.

Others acquitted

His son, Ladislav Kaco Jnr, of the same address, admitted controlling a woman and received 18 months imprisonment at the same hearing.

On Thursday, Gejza Kaco, 23, of Louisa Street, Manchester, admitted trafficking a woman within the UK and received 27 months imprisonment.

David Horvath, 29, of Ferrant Road, Longsight, Manchester, admitted controlling a woman as a prostitute and received 16 months imprisonment.

Petr Buzo, 27, of Meliden Crescent, Wythenshawe, Manchester, and Gabina Buzova, 31, also of Meliden Crescent, admitted trafficking within the UK and received "sentences of public protection", with a minimum custodial period of 344 days.

For controlling, a concurrent sentence was passed. Both were recommended for deportation.

Vasil Tkacik-Kaco, 35, of Nice View, Harehills, Leeds, admitted controlling two women and received 20 months to run concurrently, plus consecutive terms of 14 months for theft and six and a half months for converting criminal property, equalling three years, four and a half months.

Four other defendants were acquitted of all charges after the prosecution offered no evidence against them.

The charges against two female defendants were left to lie on file.