Exclusive: Lopresti ice cream bosses face slavery charges

By Adam Cantwell-Corn and Alon Aviram on 1st October, 2018

CITY | REPORTS: modern slavery, workers rights

Salvatore and Robert Lopresti face charges of forced labour.

Two bosses of prominent Bedminster-based ice cream business, Lopresti Ice Cream, are to appear at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 4 October charged with Modern Slavery offences, the Cable can exclusively reveal.

The two individuals summoned, Robert and Salvatore Lopresti, are relatives of Filton and Bradley Stoke MP, Jack Lopresti. Mr Jack Lopresti has no connection to the case.

An Avon and Somerset police spokesperson said:

“As part of an investigation into modern slavery, Robert Lopresti, 45, and Salvatorie [sic] ‘Sam’ Lopresti, 74, both of Long Ashton, have been postal requisitioned to appear at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 4 October.

Robert is due to appear relating to a charge requiring a person to perform forced labour.
Salvatorie [sic] is due to appear relating to charges of assault occasioning ABH and charge requiring a person to perform forced labour.”

The business which trades as Lopresti Ice Cream on Bedminster Parade, operates ice cream vans all over the city. Through his company, Grandbill Limited, Salvatore Lopresti is also a major landlord in the city.

The Cable will continue to follow this case.

Public interest journalism is expensive, takes time and can be risky.

But powering Bristol’s media co-op isn’t.

Read more on: modern slavery, workers rights

Comments are closed here.

Previous Article

« Bristol’s recovery community: overcoming addiction together

Next Article

Update: Loprestis’ ‘No plea’ in slavery case »

Banner Home Page Ideas And Action Film

Watch: Deliveroo Orders Rejected – a short documentary

by Adam Cantwell-Corn, Melanie Vaxevanakis and The treatmentworx on 29th July, 2019

The gig economy is getting bigger. But some workers are getting organised. In 2018, Bristol workers joined in.

Ice Cream Slavery Case

Bristol Cable members set the news agenda – BBC air Lopresti slavery investigation

by The Bristol Cable on 24th May, 2019

BBC Points West helped us tell the story of how ice cream and property boss Salvatore Lopresti kept men in slave-like conditions.

Edition 17 Banner Home Page

Fighting fires and austerity

by Jenny Stringer on 28th November, 2018

Catching up with the union that fights for the rights of those who fight fires.

Fighting the gig economy – of academics not students

by Lorna Stephenson on 27th November, 2018

Lots of Bristol University staff are highly educated, but casually employed. Bristol UCU is campaigning to change that.

Visuals Banner Home Page Voices

Watch: the women working on the tools and bucking the trend

by Jenny Stringer, Aphra Evans and Kaelyn Maehara on 23rd November, 2018

Inspiring stories of local women bucking the trend and building successful careers in the trades.

Ice Cream Slavery Case Reports

Lopresti ice cream bosses slavery trial date set

by Adam Cantwell-Corn and Alon Aviram on 2nd November, 2018

Salvatore and Roberto Lopresti face modern day slavery charges.