Irish man remanded over human trafficking

An Irishman and a woman accused of human trafficking for the sex trade have appeared in court in Wales.

An Irishman and a woman accused of human trafficking for the sex trade have appeared in court in Wales.

Thomas John Carroll (47), and Shamiela Clark (31), both of Castlemartin, Pembrokeshire, West Wales, appeared briefly at Swansea Crown Court via video link.

Both are accused of human trafficking into the UK, human trafficking out of the UK, controlling prostitution and money laundering.

They were arrested with eight others as part of a co-ordinated joint operation by the gardai and the British authorities in the Rebublic, Northern Ireland and Wales earlier this month.

Mr Carroll has been held at Swansea Prison since his arrest, while Ms Clark is being detained at Eastwood Park women's jail in Bristol.

The images of both appeared side by side via video link today and each spoke only to confirm their names.

They originally appeared at Llanelli Magistrates' Court on December 6th, where they were remanded in custody until the court hearing today.

Both were remanded in custody for a further nine weeks and two days today, until February 23rd, 2009, when a plea and case management hearing will take place at the same venue.