Six jailed for roles in Oldham prostitution operation

Across a two-day sentencing, the five men and one woman from Romania were sentenced at Manchester Crown Court for their roles in controlling and coercing a woman into sex work.

Throughout the sentencing, details were laid bare which showed the disturbing operation run from Oldham which exploited women.

The "madam", the "enforcer" and the drivers

Iain Simkin, prosecuting, told the court that in January this year, a Romanian woman in France was contacted by Anisoara Stan, who tricked her into travelling to the UK to work as a cleaner in London.

Anisoara Stan (Image: GMP)

Anisoara Stan, of Ashton Road, Oldham, travelled to Nice where she met the victim and flew with her back to Manchester, where she was collected by a group of people, including Stefan Boeru.

The victim was taken to a flat above a restaurant on Ashton Road, which operated as a base for the prostitution operation.

Mr Simkin told the court that the victim was immediately "set to work as a prostitute" by the gang, who would post adverts online and arrange to take the woman to locations where men would have sex with her for payment.

The court heard that the victim would have to work for eight to nine hours a night before being taken back to the address.

Mr Simkin said Anisoara Stan was the "madam" of the operation, while her brother, Victor-Viorel Stan, was the "enforcer", with the victim saying there were instances where he would use violence towards women to keep them in line.

After weeks of being forced to work as a prostitute, the woman was given the address of the operation by one of the drivers and was able to contact a friend who passed it on to UK police.

On January 27, police acted on the intelligence and attended the address, where the victim was rescued and members of the gang were arrested.

From left, Daniel Dobrin, Dan Scurtu and Gheorghe Rusu (Image: GMP)

The court heard that Gheorghe Rusu, Dan Scurtu and Daniel Dobrin all acted as drivers for the gang over short periods, taking the victim to the pre-arranged locations.

During these trips, Stefan Boeru would sometimes accompany the victim, while all six involved were seen to have handled finances through their bank accounts.

Only one expressed any remorse

The court heard that Anisoara Stan, represented by Haroon Khattak, had been intermittently living in the UK over the last five years and was the mother of three children in Romania who had health issues.

Anisoara Stan's defence accepted the 44-year-old had booked and paid for the victim's flight from France to the UK.

The court heard that Anisoara Stan was jailed and "expelled" from Italy for similar offences committed more than a decade ago.

Victor-Viorel Stan, represented by Alison Heyworth, was said to have a young family with two children and it was accepted the 41-year-old used violence towards the women.

Victor-Viorel Stan (Image: GMP) Stuart Neale, representing Rusu, told the court his client had only worked for the gang for a week and when he found out what was going on, he said his car insurance had expired and that he could no longer act as a driver.

Mr Neale said this was a lie and an attempt for Rusu, 42, to distance himself from the operation, although he did act as a driver for Victor-Viorel Stan on some occasions afterwards.

Scurtu, represented by Naomi Duckworth, was said to have only worked as a driver in the operation for a few days and was effectively the replacement for Rusu.

His defence said the 49-year-old was unaware of the control the victim was under and what they suffered.

Stefan Boeru (Image: GMP)

Boeru, represented by Eleanor Gleeson, was under post-sentence supervision for driving offences at the time of these offences.

The court heard the 24-year-old had a young child that he wished to return to in Romania.

The court heard that Dobrin, represented by Mark Phillips, was the only defendant to express any remorse for the women and what they suffered.

Dobrin, 20, was said to have a young child living in the UK and had only acted as a driver delivering the prostitutes for a very short period.

Anisoara Stan previously pleaded guilty to arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to be exploited and controlling prostitution for gain, while the five men earlier admitted to controlling prostitution for gain.

A trial began in July, however, all the defendants eventually pleaded guilty.

"Deceived and coerced into sexual activity"

Judge Elizabeth Nicholls began her sentencing remarks by saying: "Abraham Lincoln once said that those who deny freedom for others do not deserve it for themselves."

She added that there could be "no doubt" the victim who was brought to the UK from France was "deceived and coerced into sexual activity".

Anisoara Stan, who sobbed throughout as Judge Nicholls sentenced her, was jailed for six years and eight months and handed an indefinite slavery and trafficking order. She will serve half of that sentence before she can be released.

Judge Nicholls jailed Victor-Viorel Stan, of Howgill Crescent, Oldham, to four years and eight months in prison and said she was satisfied that he was the "enforcer" of the operation, saying he had used "fear and violence to control these women".

Boeru, also of Howgill Crescent, was jailed for 12 months, with Judge Nicholls saying he was "constantly at the flat" where the operation was run out of and that he was "something of an apprentice" in the gang.

Rusu, of Abson Street, Chadderton, was sentenced to 22 months in prison. Judge Nicholls accepted the main victim was "not scared" of him as she had confided her despair in him.

Judge Nicholls described Scurtu, of Western Road, Newham, London, as "obviously a hard-working and industrious individual" as she sentenced him to 16 months in prison.

Dobrin, of Crofton Street, Oldham, was jailed for 12 months.

Judge Nicholls said that under the new prison provisions introduced by the government, the five men would serve approximately 40 per cent of their sentences before they are released.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact GMP by dialling 101 or via the Live Chat function on the website, www.gmp.police.

Information can also be passed anonymously via the independent charity – Crimestoppers - on 0800 555 111. Always ring 999 in an emergency.

Alternatively, you can call the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline anonymously on 08000 121 700 to report or for information, advice and guidance about any modern slavery issue. Visit the website for more information: Modern Slavery Helpline

If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police, or a support agency so you can get the help and support available.

- Saint Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Manchester provides a comprehensive and coordinated response to men, women and children who live or have been sexually assaulted within Greater Manchester. They offer forensic medical examinations, practical and emotional support as well as a counselling service for all ages. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and can be accessed by calling 0161 276 6515.

- Greater Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives. Call on 0161 273 4500 or email help@manchesterrapecrisis.co.uk

- Survivors Manchester provides specialist trauma informed support to male victims in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182.