Two people facing unlicensed gangmaster-related charges appeared before Liverpool Magistrates’ Court last Friday after failing to attend a previous hearing earlier in the year, the UK Gangmaster and Labour Abuse Authority reported.

Alexander Goran has been charged with acting as an unlicensed gangmaster and conspiring to commit fraud by abuse of position, according to the authority. In addition, Ana Marie Goran has been charged with aiding and abetting an unlicensed gangmaster as well as the same fraud offence.

Spanish authorities arrested the Gorans in Valencia on 1 August, and they were later transported back to the UK by Merseyside Police.

Both have been remanded in custody to appear before Liverpool Crown Court on 27 September for a pre-trial preparation hearing.

The suspects, both Romanian nationals, were the subject of a European arrest warrant issued in relation to investigations started by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority last year into potential exploitation of workers in Merseyside and surrounding areas.

The agency noted 41 Romanian workers were found by authority officers during the multi-agency operation in Liverpool in March 2018.

Last month, two people were convicted in connection with the investigation, titled Operation Brewer.

Josh Beesley of Wigan was jailed for 20 months after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting an unlicensed gangmaster and conspiring to commit fraud by abuse of position. In addition, Christopher Beech of Congleton was handed a suspended sentence and community order for the same gangmaster offence.