“It was just devastating. We just wanted to help”
An NHS mental health specialist and an mother-of-two who took in a Ukrainian refugee was reported for modern day slavery after she asked her guest to help out more with the dishes.
Hannah Debenham was quizzed by cops at a police station and faced a hellish two-month investigation after the claims, MailOnline reports.
The 42-year-old was asked to ‘voluntarily’ attend Eastbourne police station where she was questioned by a modern-day slavery inspector, which she branded ‘the worst experience of my life’. Officers also spent two hours at her home with her husband.
She was accused of using the refugee as “a slave and full-time child minder for little to no pay under the disguise of assisting her in the Ukrainian settlement scheme”.
Hannah was left “devastated” by the false accusation made just three weeks after she invited the refugee into her home.
Hannah found the refugee – who cannot be named for legal reasons – via an au pair website.
The 36-year-old – an English teacher – agreed she would babysit Hannah’s 10-year-old daughter for two to three days a week in exchange for lodging and a £200 weekly wage.
Their arrangement worked initially, but swiftly turned sour when Hannah asked her to clean up after herself.
She said: “The first couple of weeks, the honeymoon period, were fine.
“But they did not clear up after themselves, the amount of dishes to be done quickly doubled.
“The mother used a new glass every time she got a glass of water or drink, for example.
“I explained to her that she needed to help out more, we even showed her how to use the dishwasher.
“I understand that she was in a terrible situation having fled from her country and after losing friends to the war, but things did not improve.”
Hannah told of the devastation the false accusation brought.
“It was just devastating. We just wanted to help.
“If I was charged I would have had to declare that and it would have been a permanent impediment to my career.”
But the case was dropped when no evidence was found.
A spokesperson for Sussex Police said: “Sussex Police received a report on July 20 of a person being required to perform forced or compulsory labour.
“The informant was a woman with a young daughter who had arrived in the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
“On July 26, a woman from Uckfield, who had offered to host the pair, was invited to attend a voluntary interview at Eastbourne police station with her solicitor on August 16. She was not arrested.
“Following that interview, the informant was approached on several occasions to provide a full statement, but was not willing to assist with further enquiries or to provide a formal account.
“As a result, it was judged that there was insufficient evidence for a prosecution and no further action would be taken.
“The woman’s solicitor was advised the same day of the decision.”
Detective Chief Inspector Gavin Patch said: “This investigation was expedited as quickly as possible, but given the nature of the allegations that were made, it was important that both sides were given the opportunity to provide their accounts of what had occurred and other agencies involved consulted.
“In this case, there was insufficient evidence to proceed, but we take any allegations of this nature very seriously and it is important that they are properly investigated.”
Related links:
- Shocking video shows grandad, 62, beaten and ‘left for dead’ on street after ‘brushing’ arm of young woman
- Teen who killed her rapist must pay $150,000 to his family
- Brit woman ‘gang-raped by group of up to eight men’ at hotel on Greek island Rhodes
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