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A pensioner spend more than four years as a slave for a woman who took advantage of her.

She was made to sleep on the floor and do jobs for her, like gardening and weeding.

A woman from Chingford has been sent to prison for modern slavery offences following the ordeal.

Maria Miller, 65, was found guilty of two charges of holding another in slavery or servitude and also one count of theft.

Miller met her victim, who is now 74, outside of a shop and asked her to volunteer in her charity shop.

She took advantage of the vulnerable woman who has learning difficulties and in 2012 persuaded her to move into her house.

From then on, the 65-year-old, from Simmons Lane, Chingford, made the woman sleep on the floor and do jobs for her, like weeding the garden or cleaning out animal shelters.

In return, she would give her victim meals, and allow her to come back into the house meaning she would often be left working outside until late at night.

Miller took control of all of her money, becoming executor and sole trustee in her will and controlling her bank account.

(Image: Met Police)

She tried to make her sell a property she owned and refused her access to a mobile phone, money and even her own pension.

The woman lost a lot of weight whilst held by Miller because she often refused to give her food for a number of days at a time and made her sleep on the floor of an outhouse.

In June 2016, the woman managed to escape from Miller and reported her abuse to the police.

Miller was arrested the same day and charged in November 2018.

She was jailed for her crimes on Friday (August 30) at Snaresbrook Crown Court where she received three years for holding another in servitude up until February 2015, three years for holding another in servitude post February 2015 and a one year sentence for theft.

She will serve her sentences concurrently which means she will serve a total three years in prison for her crimes.

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Detective Sergeant James Earle, who led the investigation, said: “Miller targeted one of society’s most vulnerable and the sentence received today reflects the gravity of her actions.

“This was a long and challenging investigation but we are pleased that Miller has now been brought to justice.

“We know that the victim will never forget the years she spent in constant fear but we hope that she has some closure now Miller is behind bars.

“Her bravery in coming forward to police and reliving some of the worst experiences of her life in court is testament to her strength of character and we hope this sends out a message that the Met will seek to bring the strongest charges for such shocking criminal conduct where appropriate.”