'Sex slave victim snared by voodoo threats'

A 18-year-old girl was turned into a "sex slave" by two sisters after she was threatened with voodoo, the Old Bailey heard today.

She was kept locked up in an east London flat, beaten and made to have sex with three men, said Mark Gadsden, prosecuting.

Her three-month ordeal ended the day after she was beaten with part of a vacuum cleaner and walking stick.

She slipped away in the London Underground while going to hospital with Negi Dule, 37, and asked for help from a woman at a bus stop, said Mr Gadsden.

Police later allegedly found evidence of the abuse when a local chemist reported pornographic pictures had been left for developing.

Mr Gadsden said the girl had made friends with one of the sisters and agreed to stay at the flat for a couple of days.

He said: "The sisters stopped her from leaving. That was the beginning of the period of enslavement.

"During that period of enslavement she was forced by the sisters, particularly Negi, to do menial tasks around the house, she was assaulted so that her will was subjugated, money was taken out of her bank account.

"She was forced to have sex with men while Negi was paid by the men for the sexual activity.

"She believed Negi, through her aunt, was capable of exerting some voodoo influence over her which stopped her from leaving the house.

"It was just as effective as if she had been chained and manacled.

"That is why she stayed as long as she did, enduring the beatings and sexual indignities."

Dule, of Shandy Street, Stepney, was arrested but denied involvement. Her sister was also arrested but has since disappeared.

Dule denies false imprisonment, procuring a girl under 21, assault and theft charges.