‘Raped and forced into the Ulster sex trade’

Court told of Hungarian woman’s ordeal

A HUNGARIAN woman was allegedly raped and forced into the sex trade after being brought to Northern Ireland to pay off a family debt, the High Court heard.

She claims a couple put her to work at a house in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, with locked bedrooms and kept up to £13,000 earned over a seven-month period. Details emerged as Hungarian couple Gyorgy Orsos, 32, and his 20-year-old partner Evelyn Covacs, both of John Street in the town applied for bail. They are charged with kidnapping, human trafficking and controlling prostitution for gain, along with concealing and converting criminal property. Orsos faces further allegations of twice raping the woman, stealing her bank cards and smashing her phone. Police arrested the pair after being alerted to the safety of the alleged victim on May 16. Prosecutor David Mcclean said officers discovered a house in poor condition with locks on both sides of bedroom doors. At least eight boxes of condoms were located, with one room said to show signs of being used for prostitution. Mr Mcclean continued: “She told police she thought she would be working in a regular job and would be given enough money to look after her family. “When she arrived, however, she was forced to work in the sex trade.” It’s alleged Orsos raped her when she first arrived, while Covacs helped to run the woman as a prostitute, took photos of her and placed ads on escort websites. She also allegedly answered calls from clients, and arranged prices. Mr Mcclean added police are pursuing inquiries in a bid to identify if anyone else was exploited. He said: “There were three [other] victims believed to be there.” The lawyer said one has left the jurisdiction, another has yet to be located, while a third doesn’t want to make a complaint. Bail was opposed due to concerns about interfering with witnesses and the risk of flight. Defence lawyers said their clients denied all charges against him. However, Mr Justice Deeny adjourned the applications for police to checks on cash sureties of £3,000 and £1,000.