Man, 23, charged with child exploitation

Wiltshire Police arrested and charged the man after a "complex investigation"

A man has been charged with child exploitation and class A drugs supply, police have said.

Lewis Morton, of Fairford Crescent, Swindon, appeared at Swindon Magistrates' Court after a "complex investigation" by Wiltshire Police, the force said.

Police said the 23-year-old was also charged with requiring a person to perform forced or compulsory labour.

Det Con Will Saunders said the investigation related to "child exploitation and the subsequent drugs supply within the local community".

Officers said he was also charged with possessing an air weapon when prohibited for life and four counts of possessing weapons including push daggers and a zombie knife.

Police warning

Det Con Saunders said unexplained money, gifts and the possession of multiple phones were all signs of exploitation.

"Child exploitation is the grooming and/or enslavement of children and young people for the purposes of making money through selling drugs, other illicit items, and sexual exploitation," he said.

"Criminal gangs, often known as county line gangs, recruit and groom young people to transport and deliver drugs."