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Man to stand trial on immigration charges

The Stewart Hotel at Duror, near Appin, where the men were used as modern slaves
The Stewart Hotel at Duror, near Appin, where the men were used as modern slaves

A MAN is due to go on trial accused of human trafficking offences in the Highlands next month.

Shamsul Arefin faces eight charges under the Asylum and Immigration Act involving four alleged victims.

The claims centre on a number of locations, including a hotel in the north, where he is accused of assault.

The 47-year-old is also alleged to have frightened the men by hurling plates and pans of hot oil.

The charges, which include bringing four people into the UK with intent to exploit them, are said to have been committed at Stewart Hotel, Duror, near Appin, Argyll, elsewhere in the UK and in Bangladesh.

Arefin was excused from attending court when the case called at Fort William Sheriff Court yesterday.

However, his solicitor, Gordon Stewart, said he was pleading not guilty to all of the charges and forecast that the trial was likely to take at least two weeks to conclude.

Arefin denies arranging or facilitating the arrival in the UK of Abul Azad with intent to exploit him in the UK or elsewhere between December 1, 2008, and December 31, 2010.

He also denies three similar charges relating to Kamal Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud and Sheik Nasir Bhuiyan.

Arefin, of 39 Arlington Drive, Carshalton, Surrey, further denies two charges of behaving in a disorderly manner to the same people by threatening to terminate their employment unless they carried out tasks for which they were not contracted.

The charges state that he broke the peace by shouting, swearing and throwing plates and pans, including pans with hot oil in them, to the floor in their presence, and that he acted in an aggressive manner towards the four of them, placing them in a state of fear and alarm.

They relate to two periods – between December 1, 2008, and October 5, 2010, and between October 6, 2010, and December 31, 2010 – and both were allegedly committed at the Stewart Hotel or elsewhere in the UK.

Arefin also denies assaulting Kamal Ahmed by attempting to strike him at the hotel on various occasions between December 1, 2008, and December 31, 2010.

Mr Stewart told the court he understood the trial could only be fixed for one week, but he believed it would take at least two weeks.

Fiscal depute Karen Smith agreed that it was likely to take longer and suggested holding another hearing before the trial so the duration could be discussed.

Sheriff Michael Fletcher continued all charges to the sheriff and jury trial, which is due to start on March 9, with a preliminary hearing on February 2.