Pair jailed for slavery linked to McDonalds

A couple have been jailed for their part in a modern slavery operation that stole thousands of pounds from a man working at a McDonalds restaurant in Cambridgeshire.

Jan Drevenak, 39, befriended the man, who had recently been made redundant, in the Czech Republic in 2017.

Drevenak told the man, who was in his 40s, that he had family living in the UK and could easily arrange regular work and accommodation.

He organised transport for the victim, on agreement he would pay him back out of his wages once he arrived in the UK.

Drevenak initially took the man to Derby early in 2018, before they moved to a property in Bedford where they lived together.

This meant they were closer to Drevenak’s brother and partner in the Cambourne area.

The pair used their family connections to gain employment for the victim at McDonalds in Caxton Gibbet, with online applications and tests completed for the victim to enable the exploitation.

Drevenak drove the victim to and from work each day, where he regularly did 12-hour shifts. However, Drevenak was unreliable, meaning the victim was often picked up late or not collected at all after his shifts.

The man’s wages were paid into a bank account controlled by Drevenak’s partner, Monika Olahova, 41.

From March until October 2018, the victim earned more than £12,000, but he was only given £90 by the couple. When he asked for more money, he was told his salary was paying off transport costs and debts for food and accommodation.

Drevenak controlled the man’s passport and ID card, with the victim also reporting being assaulted by him on more than one occasion.

In October 2018 the victim decided to leave the property and moved in with Drevenak’s brother who lived closer to the restaurant.

The court heard how Drevenak received £1,000 from his brother due to the change in circumstances and the victim’s wages stopped going into Olahova’s account.

Police received information that workers at the restaurant were being exploited in October 2019 and specialist officers spoke to the victim.

Drevenak, of Crown Gardens, Alconbury, near Huntingdon, and Olahova, of Stone Hill, St Neots, both denied holding a person in slavery and arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation.

They were both found guilty on both counts following a trial at Luton Crown Court.

Today (4 June) at the same court Drevenak was jailed for eight years and Olahova six years and six months. Both face deportation – for Drevenak after two thirds of his sentence and Olahova after half.

On sentencing, His Honour Judge Geoffrey Payne said: “Slavery is a modern-day evil.

“All humans have the right to dignity and worth. The victim in this case was robbed of those. He was kept in disdainful conditions and treated as property.”

Drevenak’s brother and partner were found guilty of modern slavery offences in 2023 and were jailed for more than ten years.

Detective Sergeant Nick Webber said: “This case once again emphasises that sadly modern slavery can happen anywhere.

“Drevenak befriended a man who had fallen on hard times and despicably decided to exploit him.

“The victim was sold a dream of a fresh start in the UK, but it turned into a nightmare as he was forced to work long shifts for virtually no pay.

“We have worked closely with McDonalds during this investigation. When they recognised the loophole that allowed these offences to take place, they put measures in place to prevent it happening again and have provided significant support in relocating the victim.

“I’d urge everyone to be aware of the signs of modern slavery and report any concerns to us. Doing so could help someone in a desperate situation.”

For information and advice concerning modern slavery visit Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s website.

Photo: Jan Drevenak