Adrian Matei

Adrian Matei, 34, from Longworth Street in Preston, Lancashire, was one of three Romanian men jailed at Preston Crown Court in February 2016 for their involvement in human trafficking, forced prostitution, and rape. Alongside Marius Petre, Matei deceived two 18-year-old women from Romania by promising them jobs as hotel maids, only to subject them to sexual exploitation upon their arrival in the UK.

The case was uncovered after Lancashire Police received an anonymous tweet on 27 July 2015 alerting them to possible underage girls at a brothel on Longworth Street, Preston. A raid on the premises revealed the two women, who had been in the country for just two weeks. Rather than legitimate employment, they were confined to the brothel, compelled to engage in prostitution, and threatened with harm to themselves and their families if they resisted. Both women suffered rapes at the hands of Matei, Petre, and Ionut Ion.

Matei was found guilty of two counts of rape, causing prostitution for financial gain, and human trafficking. The court detailed how the men controlled the women's movements and profited from their forced labour. Matei received a 20-year prison sentence, with a minimum of five years to serve. The sentencing highlighted the organised nature of the exploitation and the profound impact on the victims' lives. As covered by the BBC in their article published on 2 February 2016, this incident reflects broader concerns about trafficking networks operating in the UK.