Slavery order for man who used child drug runner

West Mercia Police said the teenager was bought expensive gifts to encourage him to carry drugs

A man who used a teenager as a drug runner has been issued with the first modern slavery order in Shropshire.

A Telford man, aged in his 20s, was given a Slavery Trafficking Risk Order at the town's magistrates' court.

The court heard the defendant befriended a 15-year-old boy in March 2022, buying him expensive gifts to encourage him to carry drugs around Telford.

The three-year order bars the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, from arranging travel for anyone under the age of 18 not in his immediate family.

At the hearing on Monday, the man was also told the order included limitations in his use of devices connected to the internet.

West Mercia Police said the order was the first time it had been granted, to provide restrictions around any contact with the teenager.

Det Sgt Louise Hickman said the defendant would now be monitored by the force's child exploitation team.

"I believe given the nature of the modern slavery the teenager was exposed to, that [the order] was the right decision made by the magistrates," she added.

A criminal investigation into the matter is also under way.