A FATHER has spoken of his two years of hell after being acquitted of human slavery charges.

Mohammed Riaz, 63, always denied the allegations relating to a Polish couple who he said were living in a shed to the rear of his house against his wishes.

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During a short hearing at Burnley Crown Court yesterday Judge Beverley Lunt found Mr Riaz not guilty on two counts of forced or compulsory labour.

Speaking at home in Manchester Road, Nelson, Mr Riaz said: “I have always been someone who has tried to help people less fortunate or in need, regardless of race or religion.

“I feel like my good nature was exploited by people with their own agenda.

“They were sleeping rough on park benches when they came to me and I tried to help them.

“I never asked them to stay or asked or wanted them to do any work for me.

“There were never ever padlocks or gates keeping them on my property and they were never handcuffed.

“I tried to help them and treated them like family.

“I was heartbroken when the police came and raided our house.

“I only ever tried to help them and it goes to show that a good deed sometimes does go punished.

“I won’t stop doing good deeds but I would encourage people to think twice before offering their help to others because you could end up in court.”

Mr Riaz was made subject of the country’s first-ever modern slavery orders in September 2015 in relation to three Polish nationals, two men and a woman, alleged to have been living in a shack on his land.

In January he was put on trial along with his son Khuram in relation to the Polish couple.

Khuram Riaz was found not guilty by a jury on two counts of forced or compulsory labour at the end of the prosecution evidence.

Mohammed Riaz said: “As a family we are disappointed in the police’s handling of the case.

“They never asked for our side of the story. We were victims ourselves.

“There were people living on our property against our wishes and there was never any help offered to us to remove them.

“This has been dragged out over two years and caused us unnecessary stress and shame as a family.

“We just thank Judge Lunt for finally bringing it to an end.

“I am happy it is all done with now and justice has been served.

“I would like to thank my family, friends and people in the community for their support.

“I built a good standing in the community over many years and it has been tarnished by this case.

“Being called a slaver was an insult. But people who knew me always believed in me.”

A police spokesman said: “Mr Riaz stood trial over this matter in January where the jury failed to reach a verdict and were discharged.

“Following consultation with the CPS and after taking into account the wishes of the complainant a decision has been taken to discontinue the case.

“Mr Riaz remains subject to an interim Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order (STRO) and we will seek to obtain a substantive order at Blackburn Magistrates Court in September.

“STROs are civil orders which stipulate certain restrictions on activities and prohibitions which must be adhered to.”

During the hearing Judge Lunt said: “Mr Riaz that is the end of this case. It is a not guilty verdict.

“You are free to leave the court. You may now put this entirely behind you.”