A man who was promised a fresh start in the UK was instead forced to work grueling 12-hour shifts at McDonald's for little to no pay, in a case of modern slavery that has resulted in prison sentences for the perpetrators.
The Exploitation
Jan Drevenak and Monika Olahova were convicted of holding a person in slavery and arranging travel for exploitation. The victim, a man in his 40s, earned over £12,000 between March and October 2018 but received only £90. The couple claimed his wages were covering transport costs and debts for food and accommodation.
Drevenak befriended the victim in the Czech Republic in 2017, after he had been made redundant, and offered him work and accommodation in the UK. He arranged transport, with the agreement that the victim would repay him from his wages. Initially taken to Derby in early 2018, the victim later moved to a property in Bedford, closer to Drevenak's brother and partner in Cambourne.
How the Scheme Worked
The couple used family connections to secure the victim a job at McDonald's in Caxton Gibbet. Online applications and tests were completed on his behalf. His wages were paid into a bank account controlled by Olahova. The victim's passport and ID card were held by Drevenak, who also allegedly assaulted him on multiple occasions.
In October 2018, the victim left the property and moved in with Drevenak's brother, who lived near the restaurant. Drevenak received £1,000 from his brother due to the change, and the victim's wages stopped going into Olahova's account.
Investigation and Sentencing
Police received information about worker exploitation at the restaurant in October 2019 and spoke to the victim. Drevenak and Olahova denied the charges but were found guilty after a trial. On June 4, 2026, Drevenak was sentenced to eight years in prison, and Olahova to six-and-a-half years. Both face deportation: Drevenak after two-thirds of his sentence, Olahova after half.
His Honour Judge Geoffrey Payne stated: “Slavery is a modern-day evil. All humans have the right to dignity and worth. The victim in this case was robbed of those. He was kept in disdainful conditions and treated as property.”
Previous Convictions
Drevenak's brother and partner were also found guilty of modern slavery offences in 2023 and jailed for over ten years.
Detective Sergeant Nick Webber from Cambridgeshire Constabulary said: “This case once again emphasises that sadly modern slavery can happen anywhere. Drevenak befriended a man who had fallen on hard times and despicably decided to exploit him. The victim was sold a dream of a fresh start in the UK, but it turned into a nightmare as he was forced to work long shifts for virtually no pay.”
He added that McDonald's had cooperated with the investigation and implemented measures to prevent such exploitation in the future, including supporting the victim's relocation.
