COSTEL TAMBAC

A couple who trafficked women into the UK and forced them into prostitution before fleeing the country to evade capture have been jailed.

Costel Tambac, 50, and Marianna Iova, 35, had moved the women around England as they exploited them sexually over three months in 2016, a trial at Leeds Crown Court had earlier heard.

At the same court on Friday, Tambac was sentenced to nine years in prison, while Iova, whose violence towards the women was described by His Honour Judge Andrew Stubbs KC as "less significant" than Tambac's, was jailed for eight.

Judge Stubbs said the women had been "effectively held captive" and received "next to no money", while the defendants gained "substantial sums".

The court had heard how a 19-year-old woman living in a small rural town in the Lasi province of Romania was contacted on Facebook in 2016 by a man who told her he could arrange travel to the UK and find work for her.

Prosecutor Conor Quinn told the court that the man "essentially groomed her", adding that the woman had expected to work at a car wash.

The trial heard that on a minibus to the UK, the woman met another from Romania, aged 25, who had already been working as a prostitute in her home country.

The 25-year-old had been recruited by a different man with whom she believed she was in a relationship.

When the women arrived in the UK in August 2016, they were handed over to Tambac and Iova at an address in Wolverhampton.

Mr Quinn said that upon arrival, Iova took possession of one of the victims' ID cards and broke her phone.

The women were put to work as prostitutes immediately.

Mr Quinn described Tambac as "particularly aggressive" towards the women and revealed he kicked one of them when he learned she was pregnant.

The women saw between six and eight clients daily, with Tambac driving them to appointments.

The money paid by clients was handed directly to the defendants.

Threats of violence, including threats to rape, were used against the women, who did not speak English, to ensure compliance.

Tambac also threatened to rape one of the women.

Leeds Crown Court heard that the defendants later trafficked the women around the UK and also in Dewsbury, Liverpool, Nottingham, and Oldham, moving frequently to evade police detection.

Despite police visits to addresses, the women’s statements were controlled by the defendants.

It was also noted that they warned the women that their families would be shot if they spoke out.

It is estimated that £26,000 was spent on online advertising of their services, showing the level of profit made from exploiting the women.

The second victim remained under the control of Tambac and Iova until she escaped with a client's help in November 2016, while the younger victim stayed until February 2018 and then worked in Spain and Belgium under their control.

Tambac did not testify, blaming Iova, but the court rejected his plea for leniency, emphasizing the coercive circumstances.

Iova maintained her innocence, citing her background as a Roma woman with limited education.

Tambac and Iova fled the UK in 2018 while under investigation.

They were later found in Amsterdam, arrested, and extradited to the UK earlier this year.

They were convicted of controlling prostitution for gain and facilitating travel for exploitation, with Tambac receiving a nine-year sentence and Iova eight years.

They are also subject to slavery and trafficking prevention orders.