Human trafficker jailed after forcing woman into prostitution in Birmingham

A human trafficker who enslaved a young woman, forced her into prostitution and repeatedly raped her has been jailed for a total of 22 years.   Francisc Lazaroiu was sentenced to a 14-year jail term on Friday (March 1) at Birmingham Crown Court, after being found guilty after a re-trial of raping the 19-year-old at an address in Birmingham.    He and his parents, Antonio Lazaroiu, aged 41, and mother Florina Ion, aged 39, had in July last year, each been jailed by the court for eight years for trafficking the youngster for sexual exploitation. The 23-year-old and his parents had been found guilty of controlling prostitution for gain and human trafficking after luring the Romanian teenager to the UK with claims of a job in retail.   But the promise of a better life was a lie and they instead forced her into prostitution at their home in Handsworth, even driving her to clients in Walsall, and then taking the money she earned. They also subjected her to physical and verbal abuse, frequently beating her, with Francisc Lazaroiu also repeatedly raping her during the seven-month ordeal. But after one particularly brutal assault by Francisc Lazaroiu, the young woman fled the property in May 2021 and found sanctuary with a neighbour, who called police.   West Midlands Police tracked down Antonio and Francisc Lazaroiu, who had fled to Scotland and arrested them, before Florina Ion was later arrested in Southampton.   The force's specialist rape and sexual offences team worked with the young woman to compile evidence against her three captors and, alongside an anti-slavery group International Justice Mission, also supported her through the court process.

West Midlands Police statement

DC Andrew Jones from our RASSO unit, said: "This young woman was subjected to vile abuse, fear and sexual violence by people who exploited her after she mistakenly believed they could offer her decent prospects in the UK.   "We worked closely with the International Justice Mission, to ensure she has been given the most suitable support as we guided her through the process of bringing her tormentors before the courts.   “With the culmination of these sentencings we hope this brave young woman can begin to recover and find some peace.”   Shawn Kohl, director for the European Anti-Trafficking Program at International Justice Mission, said: "We are grateful for a strong partnership with West Midlands police for their role in making justice a reality."