Two people charged with slavery offences have pleaded not guilty at court today (Tuesday).

Johnny Maloney, also known Johnny Murphy, 25, and Shannon Loveridge, 22, both of Watford Road, appeared at St Albans Magistrate’s Court this morning following arrests made earlier this year.

Mr Maloney was charged with holding another person ‘in slavery or solitude’ and ‘requiring another person to perform forced/compulsory labour’, to which he pleaded not guilty.

Ms Loveridge was charged with the same two offences and also pleaded not guilty.

The two have been accused of forcing a man to carry out ‘excessive hours in building trade’ with no formal contract of employment, and forcing him to live in ‘poor quality’ accomodation, where he ‘did not have freedom of movement’ and was ‘kept isolated’.

They are also accused of making him carry out domestic chores and subjecting him to violence and ‘threats of violence’.

The pair will appear at St Albans Crown Court later in the year.