Trafficking trial: Woman 'forced to touch' employer

An Indian woman who claims she was trafficked into the UK and treated like a servant has told a court she was forced to touch one of her employers.

The mother of four, 39, from Hyderabad, was employed in three London households as a nanny and domestic worker.

Croydon Crown Court heard supermarket manager Aleemuddin Mohammed, 35, ordered her to touch him "everywhere".

Five people, including Mr Mohammed, deny a range of charges including trafficking, rape and exploitation.

The woman alleges she came to the UK on the promise of work as a nanny and domestic worker, only to be treated like a servant and physically and sexually abused.

The alleged victim, described in court as illiterate and naive, claims she was raped, assaulted, beaten and threatened at knifepoint.

The court heard she had wanted to work in the UK to provide for her poverty-stricken family in India, but was passed around three households in London and abused.

The woman first worked for Mr Mohammed and his wife, Shamina Yousuf, 33, of Edgware, north London, before moving in with shop worker Shahnaz Begum, 57, and her partner, butcher Enkarta Balapovi, 53, who are both from St John's Wood, north-west London.

The 39-year-old finally worked for Shashi Obhrai, 54, and her husband Balram in Northwood, north-west London, the court heard.

Mr Mohammed is accused of sexual assault between 2005 and 2007, while Ms Yousuf is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Mr Balapovi is charged with five counts of rape between July and October 2007.

Ms Begum and Mr Balapovi are charged with arranging or facilitating the travel of a person within the UK for exploitation.

Both Mr and Mrs Obhrai are accused of trafficking and making threats to kill, although Mr Obhrai is not standing trial due to ill health.

All of the defendants deny all of the charges against them.

The trial continues.