Gang that kept women like slaves in brothels jailed

A string of West Midlands properties were used as brothels with women advertised on escort websites, a court heard.

Six people have been jailed after police raided addresses in the Smethwick area of Birmingham.

Silvia Mimi Buduru, 48, Florin Nicolae, 39, Alexandra Ifrim, 34, Leonard Culimici, 34, Mariana Profira, 46 and David Busteanu, 22 all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to control prostitution and running a brothel.

Their operation came to light when one woman who was forced to work for them managed to escape, West Midlands Police said.

The woman, who was subjected to violence and made to work for up to 18 hours a day, had been brought to the UK from Romania in November 2020.

She was first taken to a house in Arden Road before being made to work at another property in Parkes Street.

The money made by the woman would go to the group who controlled her, police said.

The six suspects were identified from social media with a series of arrest warrants carried out at the two properties.

They were also charged with holding a person in slavery or servitude - but the court ordered that the charge should lie on file.

• Nicolae was jailed for five years and five months
• Buduru was sentenced to four years and six months
• Ifrim and Profira were each jailed for three years and 10 months
• Busdeanu and Culimici were each sentenced to three years and two months in prison

Online adverts for sex workers were linked to mobile phones and officers also found messages discussing how to move women between addresses.

The six defendants pleaded guilty at Wolverhampton Crown Court on 21 June and were sentenced last Friday.

Investigating officer DC Harry Carley said Nicolae had already served four years in prison in France, from 2014, for controlling prostitution using violence and coercion.

“Modern slavery can be a very hidden crime and often people brought into the country feel they have nowhere to turn for help," he said.

‘The public can help by looking for the tell-tale signs such as several people staying in houses coming and going at all times of the day and night.”

Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, X, and Instagram, Send your story ideas to: [email protected]