BLOOD was drawn when a woman accused of slavery cut the alleged victim's bra strap after a row over money going missing from a money box, a court has heard.

Rebecca Balira of Waterside Close, Thamesmead forced 21-year-old Methodia Mathias to cook, clean and wash for her while acting as a nanny to her three children, without pay, the jury at Southwark Crown Court were told.

Balira, aged 45, is charged with trafficking a person into the UK for exploitation, knowingly holding another person in servitude and two counts of common assault.

Taking to the witness stand, Ms Mathias told the court that Balira beat her on three occasions.

Prosecutor Caroline Haugher said: "You told the court yesterday (August 1) of when Rebecca Balira cut your bra strap and cut up your belt and beat you.

"Were there other times that she hit you?"

Ms Mathias said: "There was another time. She asked me to put some rubbish in a plastic bag. I collected it and put it in a plastic bag and put it in the bin.

"But when Miss Balira got home she told me that I was supposed to take that bag to school. She got angry and she punched me on my back, I don't know how many times."

Questioning Ms Mathais on the incident with the bra strap and money box, defence barrister Tanoo Mylvaganam said: "There is no dispute that there was an incident between you and Rebecca on the fifth of September 2010.

"There was an incident between you and Rebecca. Rebecca couldn't understand what had happened to the money in the coin box."

Ms Mathias said: "She said some money was missing.

"She took the scissors and cut my bra."

Ms Mylvaganam told the court Balira asked for the coin box and the money was counted.

Ms Mathias told jurors that Balira said to her 'who bought this for you?' and then cut her bra strap.

Ms Mathias said: "She opened my shirt, and then held on the bra strap and cut it with scissors. I had the bra on.

"There is no blood on the bra, but when she cut me it (blood) came out. I had a scar."

The trial continues.