Two men, a woman and a 17-year-old boy accused of taking underage girls to Travelodge hotels to be exploited, including the Tolworth Tower branch, have appeared in court, charged under the Modern Slavery Act.

Diane Chilcott, 38, of Rutherwyk Road, Chertsey, Jerrell Sutherland, 23, of Milwards, Harlow, and Daniel Pusey, 20, of Money Lane, West Drayton, are accused of arranging or facilitating the travel of girls as young as 13 with a view to exploitation, alongside a 17-year-old boy.

Mr Pusey is also accused of sexual activity with a girl.

The group appeared at Staines Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, July 6, and are said to have taken the girls to Travelodge hotels in Surbiton, Twickenham, Hounslow, Slough and Staines on various dates in January and February this year.

Miss Chilcott, wearing an animal print vest top and her hair in a bun, entered no plea to three charges of arranging or facilitating travel of a person with a view to exploitation.

She was remanded on unconditional bail until a plea and preparation hearing at Guildford Crown Court on July 29.

Mr Sutherland, who wore a blue jumper, jeans and trainers, entered a plea of ‘not guilty’ to five such charges while Mr Pusey, wearing dark trousers and a grey Diesel Industry T-shirt, entered no plea to three.

Nor did he enter a plea to three charges of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15, or to one count of non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15.

Robert Carson, 17, of Gurnell Grove, London, wore jeans and a white-and-red polo shirt. He pleaded ‘not guilty’ to five charges of arranging or facilitating the travel of a person with a view to exploitation.

The trio was remanded on conditional bail by magistrate Richard Grills, and they will appear alongside Miss Chilcott at Guildford.