Woman gets 10 years for sex slavery

The first person in Australia to be found guilty by a jury of possessing sex slaves has been jailed for 10 years.

A Victorian County Court jury found Wei Tang, 44, guilty of five charges of possessing a slave and five of owning a slave. Judge Michael McInerney today sentenced her to 10 years' jail, with a minimum term of six years.

During the eight-week trial the prosecution said five Thai women, who cannot be named, were brought into Australia with the promise they would eventually be able to work legally in the sex trade. But the women were told they first had to work off a debt of about $45,000 each, which meant performing sex acts for no pay.

Judge McInerney said while the women were not kept under lock and key, they could not run away as they had no money, no passport, limited English and were told to avoid immigration authorities.

He said he also took into account that Tang had no prior convictions and the five victims were well provided for and fed. Article here.