POLICE arrested a man on suspicion of forced labour in a hamlet at the centre of major slavery probe yesterday.

The 62-year-old was held in Peterstone for alleged slavery, servitude and forced labour, Gwent Police said.

In October, Peterstone farm boss David Daniel Doran Jr was jailed for four-and-a-half years after admitting he had forced Darrell Simester to work without pay for 13 years.

The “vulnerable” 45-year-old worked up to 15 hours a day at Cariad Farm in the small hamlet near Newport.

He lived in a “rat-infested shed” at the horse-breeding farm, used a broken outdoor toilet and washed in an animal trough.

Mr Simester suffered malnutrition, poor teeth, difficulty walking and a hernia when he was found.

Doran’s father, Daniel Doran Sr, 67, was also arrested but had a forced labour charge against him dropped after his 43-year-old son changed his plea to guilty during a trial.

Meanwhile, Doran’s brother, Thomas Doran, 37, was cleared of forced labour after the prosecution offered no evidence against him.

All the arrests so far have been made as part of Operation Imperial, which has seen officers look into the alleged abuse of vulnerable adults in Gwent.

The 62-year-old from the Peterstone was taken to a police station in Gwent following his arrest yesterday morning.

Det Supt Paul Griffiths, who is leading the investigation, said: "For over two years now, the Operation Imperial team has been investigating very serious offences committed against some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

“A number of people have been arrested and charged and one has been convicted as a result of the investigation and we remain committed to bringing victims to safety and offenders to justice.”

Police stressed that no vulnerable people were recovered when the 62-year-old male was held yesterday.

Detectives are keen to speak to an anonymous caller who contacted Gwent Police on May 27.

The short message indicated the individual had knowledge and information that could assist the force, a police spokeswoman said.

Officers have set up a dedicated line which will be answered by staff working on the investigation since it began.

Anyone with information is urged to call the dedicated line on 01495 745 443 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.