Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
MEN’S PHONES TO BE SEIZED IN ULSTER SEX RING PROBE
Prostitution accused refused bail
CUSTOMERS’ mobile phones may be examined as part of a probe into a suspected human trafficking and prostitution ring, the High Court heard yesterday.
Prosecutors revealed detectives could focus on men believed to have used the services of Romanian women allegedly brought into Northern Ireland and exploited.
Details emerged as a man accused of running the sex trade centred in Banbridge, Co Down, was again refused bail.
Spartacus Mihai, 20, of Henly Road in Ilford, Essex, was arrested with his 28-year-old brother Decebal during a PSNI operation in May.
Searches were carried out at properties in Kenlis Street, Banbridge, and Belfast’s Newtownards Road, with police saying four women were rescued from the two locations.
The two brothers, both Romanian nationals, are jointly charged with controlling prostitution, conspiracy to traffic within the UK, and concealing, converting and transferring criminal property.
A previous court heard claims they are part of an organised crime gang who banked more than £125,000 earned by the women.
Further research was said to have uncovered moneygram transfers to accounts in Romania.
The prosecution claim the brothers, who deny the charges against them, were observed driving women to hotels and other locations allegedly to meet clients for sex.
But the alleged victims have refused to co-operate with
HIGH COURT YESTERDAY
the investigation and showed up at court appearances in support of the brothers. Forensic reports have been carried out on mobile phones belonging to three of the women, the court was told.
The prosecutor added: “It may well be there are other individuals, for example I have been made aware of two individuals who police would say were customers or clients.
“Their telephones may be triaged and reports obtained, although they don’t form the integral part of the evidence in this case.” Mr Justice Burgess denied bail.