In the first case of its kind in Niger, a slave owner was found guilty of the offence of slavery and was ordered to pay his former slave compensation.

Houalata Ibrahim, 18, said "he treated me as his slave, as he did my mother before me. I had to do [everything] .... Every time he thought I was late or that the work was done badly, he beat me .... He told me I was just a stupid slave and had no rights."

The case, brought by Timidria with support from Anti-Slavery International, proves that this is no longer the case. "The message is clear .... the law will punish those who continue to practice slavery and justice will be done for those who suffer this abhorrent violation of their basic human rights," lawyer Maitre Chaibou said.

Seidimou Hiya was found guilty on 25 July, and ordered to serve one year of a five year sentence in jail and fined the equivalent of £500. He was also ordered to pay Houalata £1,000 in compensation for her years of servitude as well as £500 towards Timidria's legal costs.

Ilguilas Weila, President of Timidria, stated "this is a truly historic day in the fight against slavery in Niger.... Now Houalata can begin to rebuild her life and look forward to starting a family, a family who will live in freedom, free from the shackles of slavery."