Slave owner 'handed himself in' to police

By Yoni Bashan
From: The Sunday Telegraph
August 29, 2010 3:02AM

THE captor of a 26-year-old slave blew the whistle on himself when he took the young man to police to treat his severe injuries.

Nathan Barnes, 26, was allegedly beaten, starved and forced to work as a cleaning slave for Mervyn John Ferry, 41, and Paula Diane Morrison, 46, from Bathurst, New South Wales, between February to August this year.

Police are baffled as to how Mr Barnes was held captive for six months in an open, clean suburban home, with a low fence and neighbours close by.

The situation only became public when Ferry, a Woolworths employee, allegedly showed up at Bathurst police station on August 9 with Mr Barnes in tow, saying he needed medical attention.

Police allege the victim had been badly assaulted with a baseball bat.

Acting Inspector Lionel White described the case as "bizarre". Ferry "presented him (Mr Barnes) with his injuries and said you better look at him," Acting Inspector White told The Sunday Telegraph.

"He (Ferry) waited at the front of the station while we spoke to him."

After speaking to detectives, Mr Barnes was transported to hospital where his injuries - which included two black eyes, fractured ribs and a punctured lung - were treated.

An eight-member police strike force was formed immediately after to investigate the matter.

Last week the team conducted a search warrant on the home at Fish Parade, Gormans Hill, collecting several items as evidence.

Detectives returned with a second search warrant on Friday where they arrested Ferry and Morrison around 9.15am.

Mr Barnes was allegedly being held against his will inside the home where his mobile phone was confiscated and he was forced to perform all cleaning duties.

Police have charged Ferry and Morrison with 27 offences - both were refused bail in court on Friday.

Officers said Mr Barnes was allegedly subjected to severe bouts of physical and psychological abuse and was denied medical treatment.

He had lost almost half his normal weight - 70 kg - during the ordeal.

He weighed just 40kg after being rescued by authorities.

Mr White confirmed that two adolescent children were living in the house at the time and would likely become police witnesses in the matter.

Mr Barnes is now recovering in a secure location.

From: http://www.news.com.au/national/slave-owner-handed-himself-in-to-police/story-e6frfkvr-1225911382780