Jail for the woman who fed her slave on dog food
A charity shop owner who forced a disabled pensioner to eat dog food after her making the woman her personal slave has been jailed for three years.
Maria Miller, 65, invited the victim, now aged 74, to live with her in her Chingford home in January 2012 after a chance meeting outside a pet shop.
But rather than help the septuagenarian, Millar forced her to perform chores in her home and shop and beg on the streets.
She also emptied the pensioner’s bank account and spent the money on designer clothes, cars and holidays.
Snaresbrook Crown Court heard that the victim, who has learning difficulties, was often locked out at night and forced to sleep in the garden and use it as her toilet.
On many occasions she was so hungry she resorted to eating cat and dog food until she fled in June 2016.
She had been forced to weed the garden and clear out animal shelters at night in exchange for meals or coming back inside the house before Miller threw her out the house again.
Miller also took control of the victim’s bank account, became executor and sole trustee in her will and tried to persuade her to sell a property she owned, as well as refusing her access to a mobile phone, money or access to her own pension.
Detective Sergeant James Earle, who led the investigation, said: ‘Miller targeted one of society’s most vulnerable and the sentence received today reflects the gravity of her actions.
‘This was a long and challenging investigation but we are pleased that Miller has now been brought to justice.
‘We know that the victim will never forget the years she spent in constant fear but we hope that she has some closure now Miller is behind bars.
‘Her bravery in coming forward to police and reliving some of the worst experiences of her life in court is testament to her strength of character and we hope this sends out a message that the Met will seek to bring the strongest charges for such shocking criminal conduct where appropriate.’
Miller befriended the pensioner who was a volunteer at the cat orphanage she ran. The victim, who cannot be named, did not realise she was being exploited and thought she was helping her friend care for the animals.
The exploitation came to light after the pensioner ran away for the third time and asked a friend for help, who contacted social services.
When police searched Miller’s home, they found a will which showed the victim had left everything to her.
Miller denied but was convicted of two counts of holding in slavery and servitude and one count of theft on at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
She was cleared on one count of inflicting grievous bodily harm.
Richard Heatley, from CPS London North, said: ‘This was an appalling case of modern slavery where a kind and vulnerable woman was manipulated and exploited for a number of years.
‘The victim thought she was helping her friend with chores and charity work but in actual fact she was being exploited in the most appalling way.
‘Miller denied any wrongdoing and said that she had taken control of the victim’s finances because otherwise the victim would hand her money out to strangers she just met.
‘Modern slavery has a devastating, lasting impact on its victims. The CPS is working in partnership with the police and other criminal justice partners to build robust cases and deliver justice for victims.’
Miller of Simmons Lane, Chingford, was jailed for three years.
MEMO
Maria Miller 65 (07.08.54) of Simmons Lane, Chingford, was found guilty of two counts of holding another in slavery or servitude and one count of theft.
1. For holding another in servitude ante February 2015) – three years imprisonment
2. For holding another in servitude post February 2015) – three years imprisonment
3. Theft – one year imprisonment
All sentences to run concurrently.
MEMO ENDS
