![\"Emmerdale\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SEI_273446067_21b930.jpg\")
\n\t\t\u00a0Jakub has been helpin Emmerdale explore the issue in a hard-hitting, long-running storyline (Picture: ITV)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\u00a0Jakub has been helpin Emmerdale explore the issue in a hard-hitting, long-running storyline (Picture: ITV)<\/p>\n
When a man called Jakub* showed up to A&E<\/a> in 2021 with a gash extending from his forehead down over his left eye, hospital staff and police questioned what had happened to him.\u00a0<\/p>\n A Slovakian in his late 50s, Jakub described how he had been beaten by the son of a couple he\u2019d been living with for three years. The family had also taken all of his documents<\/a> and set up a bank account in his name, which only they could access his money from.<\/p>\n By the time he left hospital, Jakub had 24 stitches across his face \u2013 but he was too afraid to press charges against his attacker.<\/p>\n \u2018I had to go back to that house and if I did, what would happen then? The violence would escalate even more,\u2019 the now 61-year-old tells Metro.<\/p>\n The reality was Jakub was a victim of modern slavery trafficking<\/a> \u2013 tricked into coming to the UK for a better life, but trapped working for pennies and living in horrendous conditions with no way of escape.\u00a0<\/p>\n Since finally finding freedom in June 2022, Jakub has been sharing his experiences with the cast and producers of ITV<\/a>\u2019s Emmerdale<\/a>, as they explore the issue in a hard-hitting, long-running storyline.<\/p>\n Their first glimpse was earlier this year, when teenage\u00a0 characters April and Dylan, played by Amelia Flanagan<\/a> and Fred Kettle<\/a>, were manipulated into a dangerous cycle of crime<\/a> under the control of trafficker, Ray, played by Joe Absolom<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t However, in a special episode last month, it was revealed that another character, Bear \u2013 an older man who villagers had previously moved away to Ireland \u2013 had also fallen victim<\/a> to Ray and his mother, Celia (Jaye Griffiths)<\/a>.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a narrative that highlights the very real and present threat of modern slavery in the UK, and has seen the show work closely with the Salvation Army for months to ensure authenticity of storylines and scripts.\u00a0<\/p>\n In preparation, Joshua Richards<\/a> who plays Bear met with Jakub to hear his story, which the actor revealed had a profound impact on him.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Joshua told Metro earlier this year:<\/a> \u2018I was amazed that this was someone who wasn\u2019t gullible and was very intelligent and forthright who was duped. I was struck by his integrity and his dignity. <\/p>\n \u2018That gave me a great latch on to the subject, because I thought if it could happen to this guy it could happen quite easily to an older man who\u2019s got somewhat depressed and not feeling valued, somebody who has basically lost the plot. <\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019s easy to be manipulated. It was quite poignant really.\u2019<\/p>\n This year, 2,409 potential victims representing more than 100 nationalities, backgrounds, and experiences, entered The Salvation Army\u2019s<\/a> support services \u2013 332 fewer than the year before.\u00a0<\/p>\n However, the charitysays they believe the downturn in referrals in\u2019t something to be celebrate, but rather is linked to survivor\u2019s fear that they will be treated as criminals rather than victims \u2013 particularly those trafficked into the UK or foreign nationals exploited while here.\u00a0<\/p>\n At the same time, inconsistent training for First Responders (such as the police and local authorities) means too many people remain invisible and unable to access life-saving help.<\/p>\n \t\t \u2018Modern slavery remains a widespread problem in every town, village and city,\u2019 Kathy Betteridge, The Salvation Army\u2019s Director of Anti-Trafficking and Modern Slavery, explains to Metro. \u2018Criminals prey on vulnerability. They groom and coerce people \u2013 adults and young people alike \u2013 into situations where they feel trapped and powerless.\u00a0 We are deeply concerned that victims are being silenced by fear and left in the shadows.\u2019<\/p>\n Jakub tells Metro that three years before he turned up to hospital, he had been living in his home country of Slovakia, struggling to make ends meet after his partner absconded with all the money he had earned over his career in both business and the armed forces.<\/p>\n A couple Jakub had known as a child, had moved to England and told him they could get him a job and a place to stay.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2018When we came to the UK, all was nice at first,\u2019 Jakub remembers. He moved into the couple\u2019s house, placed in a tiny box room with blank walls that could only fit his single bed.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2018Slowly, the couple\u2019s other family members started coming to stay in the house. I was the only one \u2013 out of all of them \u2013 who was working, at a nearby chicken factory. It was labour intensive. I was working night shifts, just coming home to sleep in the day.\u2019<\/p>\n Although Jakub had been promised a salary of around \u00a3500 a week, he had yet to see any of it, as unbeknown to him, the couple had taken his official identity documents and opened up a bank account in his name, which only they could access. <\/p>\n \t\t In fact, Jakub only discovered the deception after he tried to set up a phone contract and was told there was already one in his name.<\/p>\n \u2018They (the couple) had set up my bank account, and all the money went directly to them through this account,\u2019 he explains. \u2018They would just give me pocket money \u2013 \u00a350 a week \u2013 for transportation and snacks.\u2019<\/p>\n The unemployed couple spent the rest of his wages on rent and their own food, as well as getting credit in Jakub\u2019s name to buy phones and household appliances, causing him to spiral further into debt.<\/p>\n When he confronted them after his discovery, the couple\u2019s son beat Jakub up so badly he had to be hospitalised. It was the first of many beatings and from there, physical assault became routine.<\/p>\n The family would warn him that if he ever attempted to leave, they would make sure \u2018something will happen\u2019 to Jakub. Without a passport, bank account, or fluent English, he felt trapped.<\/p>\n \t\t \u2018I didn\u2019t know what my options were \u2013Ididn\u2019t know there was government<\/a> organisations and charities<\/a> who worked to help people in my position. <\/p>\n \u2018There was this emotional pressure too,\u2019 says Jakub, explaining how the couple guilted him to stay. \u2018They told me they had invested money in me.\u2019<\/p>\n Jakub refused to allow himself to feel fear, deciding it wouldn\u2019t help him out of the situation.\u00a0Instead, he stayed calm, sometimes leaving work early so he could secretly meditate in a local park.<\/p>\n In the end, he didn\u2019t have to try and escape because in the spring of 2022 the family kicked Jakub out without any reason, making him homeless<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u2018I had only my jeans that I was wearing, a shirt and a jumper,\u2019 he remembers. \u2018I slept in the park, I\u2019m not sure for how long \u2013 one, two, or three months. A nearby food bank would give me food. A man once gave me a sleeping bag. Someone else gave me a plastic bag in case it rained.\u2019<\/p>\n When a former colleague stumbled across him in the park and offered to help get him support, Jakub admits he was too embarrassed to accept it. \u2018I wasn\u2019t in good shape,\u2019 he remembers. \u2018I stunk, and didn\u2019t want to go to their house to find help.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t But that chance meeting made Jakub realise that he had to do something \u2013 so decided to tell his boss everything. Thankfully, he was understanding andn called the police who put him in contact with the relevant authorities, who in turn put Jakub in touch with The Salvation Army.<\/p>\n Although he was finally safe, it didn\u2019t mean his ordeal was over though. \u2018This is when the depression kicked in,\u2019 remembers Jakub, describing how he began to recall everything he had endured and the impact it had on him. \u2018Emotions started bursting out of me. They were exploding. It was like a stone falling off my heart.\u2019<\/p>\n Every passing thought he\u2019d had in previous years that the way he was treated was wrong was finally affirmed when he was told he was a victim of forced labour, a form of modern slavery where a victim is coerced to work against their will.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2018I blamed myself as well \u2013 that I had put myself into this position,\u2019 he explains.\u00a0<\/p>\n Once supported by The Salvation Army to get housing, write off his fraudulent debts, access medical care, and receive a proper income, Jakub finally felt his life start to turn a corner.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2018I\u2019ve started an interpreter course, focusing on my art and photography. I will always try to do things and have lots of plans.<\/p>\n \u2018I\u2019ve never given up,\u2019 adds Jakub. \u2018Every day is a new day, and my story is just beginning now.\u2019<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the Salvation Army has seen firsthand how powerful the Emmerdale storyline has been, as someone got in touch after seeing the show. <\/p>\n \u2018We\u2019re not often sure of the reason someone has come forward for support, but one came to us directly as a result of a viewer spotting something of concern and reporting it,\u2019 a spokesperson told Metro.<\/p>\n \u2018This is one life transformed and we believe it will be one of many.\u2019<\/p>\n *Name has been changed.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Ray](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/25_09_emm_ray_april_03-d6ad.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe modern slavery storyling started with teenager characters April and Dylan (Picture: ITV)<\/p>\n![\"Bear](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/EMBARGO_10_11_EMM_RAY_BEAR_02-e5b8.jpg\")
\n\t\tAfter speaking to Jakub, actor Joshua Richards said he understood how easy it is to be manipulated (Picture: ITV)<\/p>\n![\"Lonely](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2205743786.jpg\")
\n\t\tJakub earned \u00a3500 a week, but didn\u2019t see any of it (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Unrecognisable](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-1334086825.jpg\")
\n\t\tJakub was beaten up and hospitalised after confronting his captors (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-1176751606.jpg\")
\n\t\tAt first, Jakub was too embarrassed to ask for help (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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