A man kept a woman as “a slave” making her work at a local restaurant before pocketing her wages, it has been alleged.

She later claimed she was groped as she performed menial chores without pay, a jury was told.

Now Rudolf Maco, 31, from London Road, Dover, has gone on trial accused of modern day slavery and sex assaults. He has denied five charges.

Prosecutor Paul Raudnitz told Canterbury Crown Court Maco had made the woman perform “forced or compulsory” labour against her will.

“It is a criminal offence to require another person to perform forced or compulsory labour, in short, work exacted under menace... and performed against their will.

“Force or compulsory implies physical restraint or alternative mental constraint... some form of coercion.

“The menace can be exerted in various ways, direct or indirect and the constraint mental or physical.”

He claimed that Maco forced the woman to go out to work and carry out chores around his house.

“It is a criminal offence to require another person to perform forced or compulsory labour, in short, work exacted under menace... and performed against their will..." - Prosecutor Paul Raudnitz

The prosecutor alleged Maco controlled his victim after she landed jobs at a salad making company and a Dover restaurant – but was only given “a pittance” in hand-outs.

Mr Raudnitz said he then controlled her wages which were paid into a pre-paid bank card requiring a PIN, which he kept.

She would later allege to police that she was given on one occasion £20 or £30..and added she felt “she was a slave” who was repeatedly bullied.

She claimed Maco called her “ a lazy s***” and threatened to beat her up.

The prosecutor alleged Maco also groped her and the attacks only stopped when she sat on a bench and spoke to a stranger who encouraged her to report it to police.

He was later arrested and denied all the allegations.

The case continues.