Brighton Man Jailed For Drugs And Child Exploitation Offences

A Brighton man who exploited a vulnerable 16-year-old girl and manipulated her into dealing drugs has been jailed.

The girl, who was reported as missing and vulnerable, had been spotted dealing drugs around St Mary’s Passage and Easter Road in Brighton.

She then went to a hotel in Upper Rock Gardens, where police found her.

Inside was Giuseppe Carella, 26, formerly of Baker Street in Brighton, who was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and trafficking a victim for exploitation under the Modern Slavery Act.

In the hotel room, police found 128 wraps of Class A drugs, over £1,600 in cash and items linked to the preparation of drugs such as scales, cling film and several mobile phones.

Cash and drugs found in Carella's possession

On looking at messages on the phone, officers found that Carella had been operating the 'Max' county drugs line and that the 16-year-old victim had been working for him.

Police said huge numbers of messages showed a pattern of emotional manipulation from Carella towards his victim.

Carella was charged with three counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, two counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, two counts of possession of criminal property, possession of a knife, possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of cannabis and facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation.

He pleaded guilty to all of the drug and weapon offences in March 2021 and was remanded in custody awaiting the outcome of the exploitation investigation.

After also pleading guilty to the charge of facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation, Carella was sentenced to a total of six years in prison at Lewes Crown Court on Friday (June 10).

He was given a 10-year Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Order prohibiting him from owning a mobile phone, SIM card or computer unless registered with police and his service provider. He must also notify the nearest police station of any changes to his home address within seven days of moving house.

Carella’s victim was supported in the community and is currently in the care of health services.

One of the mobile phones linked to the 'Max' county line

Detective Constable Rachel Piggott said:

“Not only did Giuseppe Carella manipulate and exploit a vulnerable girl to his own ends, he then tried to claim that he himself was a victim of modern slavery – an allegation that was investigated and disproved by Sussex Police.”

Detective Inspector Dee Wells, from Brighton and Hove’s Community Investigation Team, said:

“I would like to thank all of the officers, staff and everybody involved in this long and complex investigation, which has safeguarded a vulnerable young person and taken a dangerous individual off the streets.

“The illegal drug trade goes hand in hand with exploitation and violence and we will continue to work around the clock to disrupt perpetrators, bring them to justice and safeguard their victims.”

For more information on county lines, visit: County lines | Sussex Police

Weighing scales used by Carella