Owner of Harrogate Hand Carwash jailed for modern slavery offences

The owner of a Harrogate car wash has been jailed for the mistreatment and exploitation of workers who travelled to the UK from their native Romania in search of better lives.

Defrim Paci is sole director of Harrogate Hand Carwash on Sykes Grove, but his crimes were committed against workers at a Carlisle car wash.

Paci and Sitar Ali were jailed for modern slavery crimes by a judge who heard of the harrowing impact their offending had on four men who helped bring the pair to justice after a painstaking multi-agency investigation.

Paci the ringleader

Carlisle Crown Court was told Paci, who has four children, led a criminal plot to exploit employees who were left exhausted having been forced to work long hours in poor conditions for less than the minimum wage at Shiny on Warwick Road in Carlisle. They were also housed in filthy city accommodation.

Some victims were left with only £20 left in weekly pay packet despite working 11 hours a day, six days a week as their freedom, according to the prosecution, was “effectively over-ridden”. Wage slips overstated pay and understated the working hours of workers left with sore feet, cracked hands and exhausted.

Documents found in Paci’s possession and phone evidence revealed Paci’s ongoing interest in the car wash despite his denials.

Meanwhile Ali ‪managed the Shiny site, denying the men proper breaks and days off. Some spoke of the skin on their being “burned” by “toxic” cleaning chemicals, and of receiving no protective clothing. One worker recalled buying cheap gloves from Tesco to protect his hands.

Despite their firm denials, Paci, of Windmill Close, Sutton-in-Ashfield, and Ali, of Adelaide Street, Carlisle, were each convicted of two modern slavery crimes committed over a 15-month period during 2016 and 2017. Ali was also found guilty of possessing criminal property after £16,000 was found in his car after police began making arrests during their criminal investigation.

The four Romanian victims, who can’t be identified for legal reasons, were aged 49, 34, 32 and 21. 

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Victims humiliated and exploited

One victim said in an impact statement as he described being “humiliated”:

“The experience I went through while working at the car wash in Carlisle caused me to lose all trust in humans.

“I was treated like a piece of garbage by those running the place and this caused me extreme stress there and long-term anxiety afterwards.”

Another said the ordeal was “the most horrible experience I have been through in my entire life”.

He said:

“It is a terrible injustice for a human being to take advantage of another human by exploiting them.

“It fills me with anger when I think back to what I went through.”

A third added:

“The inhumane manner in which Sitar and Defrim treated those that worked for them will forever stay with me and has caused me to lose trust in people.”

The court heard Paci was a committed family man but Judge Nicholas Barker told him of the crimes: “I am satisfied you did benefit significantly from this operation.”

Paci was jailed for 45 months and Ali for 39 months by Judge Barker, who stressed it was necessary for “deterrent ambits” within the sentence to show such offending “will not be tolerated by the courts”.

Judge Barker told Ali:

“I am satisfied upon the evidence you worked in partnership with Defrim Paci. Although you each performed different roles, you did so at equal levels within her organisation.

“You realised that by reducing the cost of labour it would significantly increase your profits.”

He told both men:

“It was the circumstances in which workers found themselves, designed by you, which rendered them vulnerable and helpless.”

Harrogate social distancing planters find a happy home in Starbeck

Six of Harrogate’s social distancing planters now have pride of place on Starbeck High Street.

Andrew Hart, who owns the local post office and recently set up Starbeck Community Group, made a bid to Harrogate Borough Council to take them to Starbeck which was accepted.

After receiving a pavement licence from North Yorkshire County Council, the wooden boxes were delivered to Starbeck yesterday.

They now sit in front of the abandoned former McColl’s building, which was burnt out in a fire three years ago. Planters have also been placed in front of St Andrew’s Church.

Mr Hart paid £40 per planter for HBC to put fresh plants in them.

The planters were removed from James Street and Albert Street last week. They were both loved and loathed and came to symbolise the debate that surrounded not just covid but the high street economy, parking and pedestrianisation.

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The council bought them after receiving £144,411 from the European Regional Development Fund to boost high streets during the covid pandemic.

A condition of taking the planters is they have to retain ERDF branding, and Mr Hart said the council will be sending over the logos soon. They must be returned to HBC in March 2022.

Mr Hart said:

“I would like to thank North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council for their magnificent support in this project.”

 

Blues Bar owner: Christmas Market cancellation will have ‘long term repercussions’ for Harrogate

A Harrogate bar owner has warned that the cancellation of Harrogate Christmas Market will have “long-term repercussions” on local businesses.

Simon Colgan, owner of the Blues Bar in Harrogate, criticised Harrogate Borough Council for cancelling the Christmas Market and says it will affect local trade.

The event was due to take place from November 18 to 21. A total of 170 traders and 53 coaches had booked to attend the event.

The council issued a statement yesterday evening saying “the event management plan did not fully take into account the risk of overcrowding and necessary evacuation procedures, counter-terrorism measures and the ongoing risk of covid”.

Mr Colgan told the Stray Ferret that he did not agree with the reasons put forward by HBC. He suggested if there were genuine concerns about covid, limited tickets could have been sold as happened at the recent Great Yorkshire Show and the Theakston’s Crime Writing Festival.

He said the council should be doing more to support local businesses after a difficult 18 months:

“Other towns bend over backwards [to support local businesses] and our council are doing nothing.

“This will have long term repercussions for Harrogate”

Mr Colgan said the Christmas Market is usually one of the best few days of trade in the year for the bar and music venue on Montpellier Parade.

He added:

“The Christmas Market is wonderful, it’s four of our best days of the year. It’s lovely.”

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Brian Dunsby, organiser of the Christmas Market, said this morning that he has still not spoken to anyone from the council after he first heard about the news through the Stray Ferret yesterday.

He said he does not have any contingency plans in place for alternative venues, such as the Great Yorkshire Showground. He said the showground “doesn’t serve the purpose” of supporting traders and businesses in Harrogate town centre.

He said he plans to appeal the decision by HBC.

The Stray Ferret asked Conservative Harrogate & Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones if he agreed with the council’s decision but we did not receive a response.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning, and happy Friday! It’s Leah with you for the last time this week. As usual, I’ll be bringing you all the latest traffic news.

The aim of these blogs, brought to you by The HACS Group, is to make sure your journey is as smooth as possible.

I’ll include all the latest roadworks, traffic hotspots and any delays to public transport.

If you spot anything or get stuck in a jam, give me a call on 01423 276197.

9am – Full Update 

That is it from me on this rainy Friday morning, I will be back with you on Monday morning from 6:30 with updates every 15 minutes. Have a lovely weekend.

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The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

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8.45am – Full Update 

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8.30am – Full Update 

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The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

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8.15am – Full Update 

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The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

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8am – Full Update 

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7.45am – Full Update 

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The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

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7.30am – Full Update 

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The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

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7.15am – Full Update 

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The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

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7am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

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6.45am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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Knaresborough Thai boxer returns to the ring with a win

A Muay Thai boxer from Knaresborough made a successful return to the ring in London on Saturday in his first fight for two years.

Nathaniel Kalogiannidis trains at Kao Loi Gym on Skipton Road in Harrogate under head coach Pierre Mahon. Fists, elbows, knees and shins can all be used during Muay Thai bouts.

The 23-year-old fighter competed in front of almost 2,000 fans at Fairfield Halls in Croydon against local fighter Luke Thompson in the Combat Fight Series promotion. Covid had halted his appearances in the ring.

Speaking after the fight, Mr Kalogiannidis said:

“I was really pleased but I’m my biggest critic so coming away from it I know there’s lots I need to work on.

“We’ve spent a lot of time on skills-based training and working on my mindset over the pandemic. It’s important for me to stay switched on. I’m excited to get back out there again.”

The Harrogate fighter was ahead by the third round and upped his pace in rounds four and five to achieve a points victory.

Kalogiannidis (right) in action during Saturday’s fight against Luke Thompson. Photo: Dean John Films

Kalogiannidis fell in love with Muay Thai when he was at King James’s School in Knaresborough. He said he knew from the beginning he’d found his passion.

He trains six days a week, twice a day in the Harrogate gym under the watchful eye of his coach.

He started at Kao Loi aged 13 but then trained full-time in Greece, where his dad lives, for two years before returning to Kao Loi in 2018.

He added:

“I want to mix with the top guys in the world. It’s not about the big titles for me. I just want to keep working hard. It’s what I love to do and I want to keep going.”

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Kalogiannidis is already back in the gym training for his next fight in October.

Pierre Mahon, head coach at Kao Loi, said:

“I am very pleased with this performance after such a long time out of the ring. We have been working on lots of new things in the gym and he has implemented them all in a terrific fight against a tough and more experienced opponent.

“We have another three bouts this year and I can only see him going from strength to strength.”

Harrogate Christmas market cancelled

Harrogate Christmas market has been cancelled for the second year running.

Harrogate Borough Council issued a statement this evening saying “the event management plan did not fully take into account the risk of overcrowding and necessary evacuation procedures, counter-terrorism measures and the ongoing risk of covid”.

Brian Dunsby, the event organiser, was unaware of the news until the Stray Ferret contacted him tonight.

Mr Dunsby said he was “absolutely disgusted” by the decision and would fight it.

He said 170 traders and 53 coaches had booked to attend the event on Montpellier Hill, which was due to take place from November 18 to 21.

“This is an outdoor event and there is no reason to cancel. It’s quite unjustifiable.

“The Christmas market is part of the social programme for the town and for traders. We can’t tolerate this and will fight back.”

Mr Dunsby said he was unaware of concerns by the council.

The council’s statement said it was “working hard to ensure alternative Christmas festivities take place”.

Its full statement is included in the tweet below.

After careful consideration, Harrogate Christmas Market will not be taking place on the Stray at Montpellier Hill this year.

More follows in the statement below…⬇️ pic.twitter.com/7kHhDyiklz

— Harrogate Borough Council (@Harrogatebc) July 29, 2021

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Former Coach and Horses landlord John Nelson admits breaching driving ban

The former landlord of the Coach and Horses pub in Harrogate has admitted breaching a driving ban issued for driving while under the influence of drugs.

John Nelson, who held the licence at the Coach and Horses for 33 years until last summer, appeared at Harrogate Justice Centre today.

He pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and driving without insurance on Burn Bridge Lane in Burn Bridge on July 13.

The court adjourned the case for another hearing on August 27.

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Nelson was banned from driving for 18 months on May 7 after police pulled him over with cocaine in his system and Class A drugs in his jacket.

He had 30 micrograms of cocaine per litre of blood in his system. The legal limit is 10 micrograms. Officers also found three bottles of methadone in his car.

Nelson lost his pub licence after North Yorkshire Police found customers drinking outside the Coach and Horses and not observing social distancing during the weekend of May 30, 2020.

Customers of the pub launched a petition to grant the licence to his daughter Samantha Nelson, which Harrogate Borough Council did in October last year.

Ms Nelson said she would refurbish and reopen the pub but it remains closed.

 

Housebuilder awarded £63m contract to build 200 homes in Pannal Ash

A property company has been awarded a £63 million contract to build 200 homes on the site of the former police training centre in Harrogate.

Homes England, the government’s housing agency which bought the site in February, has handed the contract to Countryside Properties.

The controversial plans to build homes on the site off Yew Tree Lane have been delayed after Harrogate councillors deferred the proposals until concerns about traffic and infrastructure in the west of Harrogate were addressed.

Countryside Properties, which has offices in Leeds, will be paid £63,814,699 to construct the scheme if it is given the go-ahead. The contract was awarded in March this year and runs until December 2026.

Chris Penn, managing director of partnerships in Yorkshire at Countryside Properties, said:

“Since establishing our presence in Yorkshire in 2019, we have delivered a number of developments across the region that fulfil our ambition to create beautiful homes that collectively form new and sustainable communities.

“This is a vision we share with Homes England and we are delighted to have exchanged contracts for the redevelopment of the site at Yew Tree Lane in Harrogate.

“We look forward to progressing the scheme with Homes England to accommodate the local need for high quality and efficient new homes.”

200 homes plans delayed

Homes England already has permission for 161 homes on the site, but has seen efforts to increase the number halted by councillors.

The latest proposal, which would have seen the number of homes on the site increased by 23 per cent to 200, was deferred by Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee in June.

Councillors said they wanted to see the publication of the council’s parameters plan, which will assess transport and infrastructure needs associated with wider plans to build up to 4,000 homes on the western side of Harrogate, before making a decision.

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The parameters plan was expected last year but has been delayed and councillors heard it could take years to be finalised.

The development has proved controversial with residents in the area, particularly as it could see the loss of sports pitches.

Nick Viles, chairman of Pannal Sports Junior Football Club told the meeting in June he had “serious concerns about the loss of pitches for community use”, which he said went against the ethos of the club.

But Homes England’s planning consultant said the application was compliant with the Harrogate District Local Plan 2014-2035, which sets out the district’s planning strategy until 2035, and that section 106 infrastructure payments by the developer would fund ‘much needed sports facilities’ elsewhere.

The consultant added it was a “viable and deliverable scheme” which, if approved, would begin next year.

The council is expected to make a decision on the plan at a later date.

Harrogate cocaine dealer jailed after dealing outside ex-servicemen’s club

A Harrogate cocaine dealer who was caught dealing drugs outside an ex-servicemen’s club has been jailed for two years.

Wesley Waterworth, 29, was spotted handing a drugs package to an unnamed woman before going back into the social club on East Parade, York Crown Court heard.

When police went inside, Waterworth identified himself but when asked to step outside for questioning, he “repeatedly” swore at the two officers, said prosecutor Brooke Morrison.

When they tried to arrest him, Waterworth escaped out of the back fire exit, pulling off the door handle as he did so.

He was arrested after a short chase and police found cocaine and £580 cash on him, added Ms Morrison.

During a subsequent search of his home, officers found more wraps of cocaine, some cannabis, two sets of weighing scales, a Class C drug and a mobile phone with incriminating text messages.

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These messages showed Waterworth had also been involved in the supply of cannabis over a three-month period between January and March last year. He was arrested at about 9.50pm on March 5.  

Ms Morrison said the total value of the drugs found at Waterworth’s home was unknown.

He was charged with possessing a Class A drug with intent to supply, supplying cannabis, possessing a Class C drug and damaging property. He admitted all four charges.

 A further two allegations, including resisting arrest, were withdrawn by the prosecution.

22 previous convictions

The court heard that Waterworth had 22 previous convictions for over 30 offences, including battery, burglary, making threats to kill, criminal damage and drugs possession. 

In 2016, he received a five-year prison sentence for conspiracy to burgle and a serious act of violence. He was on prison licence for those offences at the point of his arrest for the new matters in March 2020 when he was recalled to jail.

Defence barrister Harry Crowson said that Waterworth — currently of HMP Wealstun in Wetherby — had been dealing to pay off debts and argued there was “no financial advantage” for his client.

But Judge Simon Hickey said Waterworth had been dealing “quite openly” in East Parade and criticised the defendant for being “abusive and aggressive” to officers.

He told Waterworth:

“You must realise that dealing in Class A (drugs) brings degradation and misery and quite often death (of users).”

Waterworth was jailed for just over two years and ordered to pay the social club £200 compensation for damage to its door.  

Harrogate council set to build new diving platform at Hydro

Harrogate Borough Council is to buy a new diving platform at the Hydro in Harrogate to replace the damaged one that has kept divers out of the pool for eight months.

Harrogate District Diving Club, which has developed many elite divers including Ripon Olympic champion Jack Laugher, is based at the Hydro.

Its members have had to travel to West Yorkshire since cracks in the concrete platforms at the Hydro were discovered in November.

The situation finally looks like being resolved after the council issued a statement today saying a report had revealed the current platform should be replaced due to its age and the amount of work required to fix it.

The Stray Ferret asked the council how much it expected to spend on the replacement. A council spokesperson said it would not know until the tender for the work was agreed.

The council will now prepare a new report seeking approval to go out to tender and appoint a contractor to carry out the works.

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It is not known when diving will be permitted at the Hydro again. However, the council said it will announce timescales once a contractor has been appointed.

The activity pool, main pool and teaching pool may have to close during the work.

Trevor Watson, director of economy, environment and housing at the council, said:

“Diving is a sport which relies solely on high-quality facilities, and unlike other water sports, it cannot take part in any pool – it needs the necessary diving platform and deep water.

“With the future investment of a new diving platform we will be able to provide the necessary infrastructure to help nurture talent and create a pathway for future Olympians.”

Mark Tweedie, managing director of Brimhams Active, the company being set up by the council to run leisure services, said:

“By investing in diving facilities we can ensure the legacy of an exciting and successful sport for Harrogate, the region and even the country.”