Human trafficking trial resumes with woman alleging abuse, exploitation

The trial for a Simcoe County couple accused of human trafficking resumed in a Bradford courtroom on Wednesday, with the complainant testifying the defendants left her physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausted.

She told the court she worked for Lauriston and Amber Maloney and received little to no money in return, and was expected to be available to them at all times.

She testified being verbally and physically abused by Lauriston, with whom she had been in a three-way relationship, along with Maloney’s wife, after they met in 2016 on a dating app.

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The woman described being a victim of and witnessing domestic violence at the hands of Lauriston.

She testified to witnessing him slap his wife across her face after dragging her by her hair, saying he was dominating and forcing them to do what he wanted around the house and at Amber’s autism therapy business.

The woman told the court Lauriston constantly threatened to throw her out of the couple's home and the relationship if she didn't do as he said. 

She testified about briefly leaving the Maloney’s home but still working for and being intimate with the couple. By that time, the Maloneys had added another woman to their relationship, she told the court.

The witness claimed she and the other woman were often pitted against one another by Lauriston and excluded from sexual relations with the Maloneys.

“You were rewarded for good behaviour and punished or excluded for bad behaviour,” she said from the witness stand. “Threats were enough to keep us in line to do what he wanted.”

The complainant described doing manual labour for the Maloneys while they built an autism therapy centre on their two-acre property in Essa Township in 2022. She testified Lauriston often ordered the women to work until 3 a.m.

She said Lauriston and Amber expected the women to pour them drinks, cook their meals, and work out with them whenever told.

“I was sick and tired of being ordered around in every aspect of my life,” she said.

The complainant told the courtroom it all came to a head when she revealed to the other woman in the relationship that the couple was only sleeping with her and breaking the agreement.

She testified Lauriston kicked her out of their cottage that night, and when she tried to get back in, he pushed her to the ground. She said he told her to see a doctor, who she later confided in about making very little money despite working all the time.

The woman told the courtroom it was then that the police became involved and the Maloneys were charged with human trafficking. Lauriston was also charged with assault and forcible confinement, and Amber with administering a noxious substance.

The allegations against Lauriston and Amber Maloney have not been proven in court.