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Man kept as slave for 40 years sleeps in warm room for first time in decades

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A man who was allegedly kept as a slave for 40 years has slept in a warm bed for the first time in decades, according to investigators.

The alleged victim, 58, had apparently been living in a shed in Carlisle, Cumbria, which was raided by police on Wednesday.

A 79-year-old man living in a house next door was arrested on suspicion of modern slavery offences and then released under investigation.

He denied any wrongdoing, according to his relatives.

A man found living in a squalid shed (PICTURED) has slept in a warm room for the first time in 40 YEARS, say modern slavery investigators. See SWNS story SWLEslave. The officer in charge of the high-profile case ? revealed this week after a dawn raid on a property ? said the half-dozen officers involved in the probe had been deeply affected emotionally by what they found. A 79-year-old great-grandfather living in a house next to the shed was arrested on suspicion of modern slavery offences and then released under investigation. His relatives say he will vehemently deny forcing the 58-year-old alleged victim to work, or live, in the shed.

The man was found living in a squalid shed (Picture: SWNS)

Officials from the UKs Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), who helped on the operation, released pictures of the shed.

It was just 6ft square and had its window boarded up, leaving the interior dark.

It contained a white metal garden chair, a duvet, a rusty electric heater and an old TV.

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A man found living in a squalid shed (PICTURED) has slept in a warm room for the first time in 40 YEARS, say modern slavery investigators. See SWNS story SWLEslave. The officer in charge of the high-profile case ? revealed this week after a dawn raid on a property ? said the half-dozen officers involved in the probe had been deeply affected emotionally by what they found. A 79-year-old great-grandfather living in a house next to the shed was arrested on suspicion of modern slavery offences and then released under investigation. His relatives say he will vehemently deny forcing the 58-year-old alleged victim to work, or live, in the shed.

Authorities think he may have been kept as a slave (Picture: SWNS)

Martin Plimmer, the GLAAs senior investigator, said: It was just a dark shed.

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Potentially, we have recovered somebody who has been a slave for 40 years.

The man has been taken to a safe location and hes being helped by trauma specialists.

He is going to be further medically examined, but it will be a long process.

For the first time in four decades, he was able to sleep in a warm room. It has been deeply affecting for everybody on the team.

The elderly suspect will be questioned again in the next few days.

Investigators are likely to focus on whether the man found in the shed was living there of his own free will, or whether he was being coerced.

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Cumbria Police Detective Chief Inspector Helen Harkins, whose officers supported the raid at Hadrians Camp, said: We would like to stress that anyone of any race or background could be a victim of modern day slavery.

Offenders tend to target people who are vulnerable and isolated.

Hidden signs make it difficult to identify a victim, but common indications include; poor physical appearance, isolation, poor living conditions, few or no personal effects, restricted freedom of movement, unusual travel times and a reluctance to seek help.

If you suspect human trafficking or modern-day slavery you can report it by contacting police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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Alternatively, call the National Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700.

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