Married couple who lured Romanian teenager to UK and then forced her into prostitution jailed

Marius and Andreea Ciubotariu promised the 18-year-old a babysitting job

Marius Ciubotariu and Andreea Ciubotariu have been jailed (Met Police)

A married couple who lured a teenager from Romania to the UK with the promise of a babysitting job but then raped her and forced her into prostitution have been jailed.

Marius Ciubotariu, 31, and his 26-year-old wife Andreea Ciubotariu, both of Harrow, were convicted of human trafficking and pimping at Harrow Crown Court.

Andreea met their victim in the summer of 2013 during a visit to her native Romania, approaching the 18-year-old to offer her a job as a babysitter in London.

After the teenager agreed several months later, Andreea arranged her coach travel to the capital and she arrived in Queensbury on 29 December 2013.

Many of London's prostitutes have been trafficked, some who are promised respectable jobs before being trapped (AFP/Getty)

Marius met the teenager off the bus but instead of taking her to his family home, he drove her to a hotel and raped her, the Metropolitan Police said.

The next day, he took her to his home and repeatedly raped her for several days, on one occasion in his car.

Babysitting work was never offered and Marius told the victim she had to work as a prostitute, claiming he worked with the police and that no one would help if she reported him.

For two days in January 2014, he took her to brothels in different parts of London, where she was forced to have sex with several men.

The woman managed to contact her uncle via Facebook, who reached a friend in Britain who could help his niece.

The 18-year-old was forced to have sex with men at a brothel (not pictured) in Watling Avenue, Burnt Oak (Google Streetview)

The man managed to meet the victim and give her shelter at his home, putting her in contact with a Romanian speaker at a local church who encouraged her to report the abuse to police.

Days later, the Ciubotarius were arrested by Scotland Yard’s Trafficking and Kidnap Unit.

Detective Constable Richard Hart said: “The Ciubotarius lured the victim to the UK with promises of a babysitting job, but they had plotted all along to use and abuse her.

“This innocent young woman who was looking for a job opportunity has had her life ruined but I hope that she will find some small comfort in knowing that her abusers are now behind bars.”

The couple pleaded not guilty to all offences but were convicted at Harrow Crown Court last month.

On Friday, Marius was sentenced to 15 years in prison for rape, human trafficking and controlling prostitution.

His wife Andreea was sentenced to nine years imprisonment for aiding and abetting rape, human trafficking and controlling prostitution.