Leeds Prostitution Ring Busted: Four Traffickers Jailed for Over 27 Years
After a decade-long crackdown, Leeds Crown Court has slammed the door on a nasty prostitution ring. Four traffickers have been locked up for a whopping total of more than 27 years. Detectives uncovered a cruel operation masked as legitimate jobs – but the reality was far darker.
Polish Couple Tricked Women with Fake Job Offers
Leeds couple Wieslaw Michniewicz and Aleksandra Timoszek preyed on young women, mostly from Poland. They promised jobs as childminders, bar staff, or shop assistants. Some victims even hoped for romance with Michniewicz. Instead, they were trapped into forced prostitution.
The women were made to work up to 20 hours a day, seven days a week, handing over every penny they earned. The couple, living on Willow Avenue, Burley, ruthlessly controlled their victims.
Family Ties Kept the Ring Running
Michniewicz’s cousin, Mariusz Seretny of Hunslet, played a crucial role. He booked travels, posted ads on sex work sites, and sent money abroad. His wife, Marta Seretny, also played her part in keeping the vile racket afloat.
Justice Served: Heavy Jail Terms for Traffickers
The four faced modern slavery and prostitution charges in February 2023. Michniewicz and Timoszek fled but were hunted down, extradited, and kept in custody until their trial.
In December 2025, the jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts:
- Wieslaw Michniewicz – 15 years behind bars
- Aleksandra Timoszek – 7½ years
- Mariusz Seretny – 5 years
- Marta Seretny – 12-month community order plus 80 hours unpaid work
The court condemned their “callous exploitation” of vulnerable women, ending a decade of suffering with a clear message: crime doesn’t pay.
