British couple face human trafficking charges in France

A British couple is facing charges of human trafficking in a French court for allegedly keeping their Madagascan au pair in slave-like conditions and not paying her wages.
A court in the southern city of Grasse yesterday heard how Robert and Sharon Moses made 23-year-old Sahobilalaina Vonintsoa work around the clock, confiscated her passport and prevented her from leaving their home.
The couple face charges of human trafficking for non-existent or inadequate payment to a vulnerable or dependent person and not declaring an employee.
The court will give its verdict on January 16.
Robert Moses, a 46-year-old chef, did not turn up in court but his wife, a 49-year-old air hostess, did.

Between March 2008 and 2009, the couple allegedly made the au pair work day and night in breach of an agreement for 30 hours of work every week.

The au pair's lawyer Yann Prevost said she was not paid regularly and her passport was confiscated.
Vonintsoa was forbidden to go out or meet her relatives. She finally quit after stealing 10 euros ($13) from the couple to telephone her family and inform them of her situation.
Prevost is seeking 24,000 euros in compensation for unpaid wages and an additional 15,000 euros in damages, saying "contempt" had been shown to the au pair.