In a stark reminder that modern slavery persists within our communities, a couple from Cambridgeshire has been sentenced to prison for orchestrating a cruel and calculated exploitation of a vulnerable man. Jan Drevenak, 39, and his partner Monika Olahova, 41, were convicted at Luton Crown Court for their roles in a human trafficking operation that deceived and entrapped a man from the Czech Republic. Their crimes are part of a broader, family-run network that preyed upon individuals from Eastern Europe, with Drevenak’s brothers having already been jailed in separate, linked trials. This case reveals not just individual malice, but a systemic pattern of abuse, where promises of opportunity were weaponized to strip people of their dignity, freedom, and livelihood.
The victim, a man who had lost his job in the Czech Republic, was targeted by Jan Drevenak in 2017 under the guise of friendship and support. Drevenak offered him a lifeline: work and accommodation in the United Kingdom, with the arrangement that travel costs would be repaid from future earnings. This deceptive offer was the first step in a trap. Upon arriving in the UK in early 2018, the man was moved between locations before settling in Bedford with Drevenak. His reality quickly deviated from the promised dream. He was employed at a McDonald’s restaurant at Caxton Gibbet, where he was subjected to grueling 12-hour shifts, six days a week. Drevenak, who drove him to work, proved to be neglectful and unreliable, even abandoning him at the restaurant overnight. The victim’s existence became one of exhausting labor and profound isolation.
Financial control was the core mechanism of this exploitation. The man’s wages were paid into a bank account controlled by Monika Olahova. Over a period of seven months, from March to October 2018, he earned over £12,000 through his relentless work. Yet, he received only £90 for his own use. When he dared to ask for his money, he was told it was being withheld to repay travel debts and cover his food and accommodation—costs that were, in reality, part of the manipulative scheme. Drevenak also seized control of his passport and identification documents, effectively imprisoning him within the situation. The abuse escalated to physical violence, with the victim reporting being assaulted by Drevenak on multiple occasions. In a desperate bid for respite, he left Drevenak’s property in October 2018 to live with Drevenak’s brother, who resided closer to the McDonald’s, a move that saw Jan Drevenak financially compensated by his family for the “loss” of the victim.
Justice was ultimately served after police intervention. Authorities were alerted to the exploitation in October 2019, and specialist officers worked to support the victim and build a case. At Luton Crown Court, the severity of the crimes was met with significant sentences. Jan Drevenak was jailed for eight years, and Monika Olahova for six years and six months. Both face deportation after serving portions of their sentences in the UK. In his sentencing remarks, His Honour Judge Geoffrey Payne condemned the acts as a “modern-day evil,” stating that the victim’s fundamental human right to dignity and worth had been robbed. Detective Sergeant Nick Webber highlighted the betrayal inherent in the crime, noting that Drevenak had befriended a man in hard times only to “despicably decide to exploit him,” selling him a dream that “turned into a nightmare.”
This case underscores a critical and collaborative response from the corporate sector involved. Cambridgeshire Police worked closely with McDonald’s during the investigation. The company, upon recognizing systemic loopholes that allowed such offences—such as shared bank accounts and excessive hours—implemented stronger safeguards. These measures aim to prevent future exploitation and included significant support in relocating and assisting the victim. A McDonald’s spokesperson affirmed their commitment to the welfare of all their employees and franchisee staff, emphasizing their ongoing role in combating modern slavery alongside government and civil society. This partnership demonstrates how awareness and procedural vigilance within businesses are vital layers of defense against these hidden crimes.
The story of this victim is a microcosm of a wider, troubling issue. Detective Sergeant Webber’s closing plea is a crucial message to the public: modern slavery can happen anywhere. It thrives on deception, isolation, and control, often masquerading as legitimate employment. Recognizing the signs—such as individuals having no control over their money or documents, working excessively long hours, or appearing fearful and isolated—and reporting concerns to authorities can be a lifeline for someone in a desperate situation. This case, while a story of justice delivered, is ultimately a call for heightened vigilance and collective responsibility to protect the dignity and freedom of every person in our society.
