An Albanian trafficker has been sentenced to 10 years in prison in the largest case of human trafficking for prostitution in the UK.

Luan Plakici was found guilty of kidnapping, procuring a teenager to have unlawful sex, rape, living on the proceeds of prostitution and facilitating illegal entry between July 2000 and October 2002. However, he could not be charged with trafficking for prostitution as the law came into effect in February 2003, after he was charged.

Seven women trafficked from Moldova and Romania returned to the UK to testify at the trial in Wood Green, north London. One was 16 when she was trafficked; Plakici married her and forced her into prostitution within hours of the ceremony.

Plakici lured the women with promises of well-paid work in bars and as waitresses. But in reality, when they arrived in the UK, they were told they owed £8,000 for the costs of transportation and passports and would have to work as prostitutes to pay this back. They were forced to service up to 20 men a day, seven days a week. Plakici placed them in brothels in London, Bedford, Luton and Reading.

Following the news of his conviction, Home Office Minister Beverly Hughes announced the Government was extending its pilot protection project for trafficked women, run by Eaves Housing for Women:

"I am pleased to announce today that a pilot project which provides support to female victims of trafficking will receive Home Office funding of over £700,000 for another year. We are also reviewing the project to see how we can encourage more women to come forward and participate in the scheme."

All of those who testified, had been sent back to their countries following raids because, when Plakici was arrested, there was no protection or support for women trafficked to the UK.

Anti-Slavery International welcomes the Government's move and hopes it will provide funding for the unconditional protection of all trafficked people, including those trafficked into labour exploitation.