GROOMING GANG RAN BROTHEL EXPLOITING 10 VULNERABLE SCOTS WOMEN BY PLYING THEM WITH CRACK COCAINE & BOOZE
A gang of Romanian nationals has been convicted of operating an illegal brothel and abusing ten vulnerable women from Scotland, while also providing them with crack cocaine and alcohol.The group was led by 37-year-old Mircea Cumpanasoiu, who managed a clandestine sex premises in Dundee with an associate, Christian Urlateanu, aged 41.
Cumpanasoiu was identified as the ringleader responsible for the exploitation.
The criminals generated illicit income through the victimisation of young women by supplying them with Class A drugs and persuading one to engage in sex work.
Participants also included Alexandra Bugonea, aged 34, a former partner of Urlateanu, along with his brother-in-law Remus Stan, aged 34, and cousin Catalin Dobre, aged 44.
The gang used a manipulative tactic by encouraging women to bring friends, offering free drugs and alcohol as a fake reward to build loyalty within their network.
Once addicted to crack, the women were subject to relentless exploitation.
Although just one woman was trafficked into sex work, police believe all could have been driven into pimping had authorities not intervened promptly.
The five individuals faced conviction at Glasgow’s High Court today after victims shared their painful stories of abuse at the hands of the gang, who now risk lengthy prison sentences.
During the trial, Urlateanu claimed that one woman had only visited the brothel once for a brief period, around five minutes, but evidence indicated she was present for several days.
The victim, whose identity remains protected, recounted seeing Bugonea in a semi-naked state, and described participating in sex games like 'spin the bottle.' Urlateanu denied giving her crack cocaine or whisky and maintained she did not take part in any sexual activities, despite evidence to the contrary presented during the case.
He told the court: “I never, ever touched her.” Jurors heard “parties” would be held at the Park Avenue flat and Urlateanu confirmed another woman stayed for two or three days as she did not have a place to live at the time.
But he denied anything untoward happened, saying he was “helping her out as a friend”.
All five denied the charges but were today found guilty by a jury on the fifth day of their deliberations.
They face life behind bars when they are sentenced at a later date.
As they were led down to the cells, Stan said: “We are innocent and you failed to defend us.” Judge Lord Scott told the gang: “This was an appalling catalogue of rape, sexual abuse and exploitation of extremely vulnerable, mostly young or very young women.
“Be in no doubt, you will all spend a significant amount of time in custody.” He placed all five on the sex offenders register and adjourned sentencing for reports until February 18.
