Sunday 6 April 2008

A sad tale of migration

Jolanta Bledaite (35), from Lithuania, grew up in rural Alytus. It seems her mother had an alcohol problem; her father was around, but in recent years there seems to have been little contact. Jolanta was bright, her father says, but did not do very well at school, and had a variety of low-paid jobs. The father now has cancer.

Jolanta went abroad to look for a better life. She ended up in Arbroath as one of the 4000-strong Eastern European community involved in agricultural labour. Most recently she was seen begging around the town of Arbroath.

Last week her head was washed up on the short of Arbroath, as were her hands. Yesterday they found the rest of her body in Arbroath harbour. Two Lithuanian men are in custody.

So much for going abroad for a better life.

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