A man has been jailed after police dismantled a prostitution ring in South Manchester.
Alexe Popa, 30, of East Grove, Longsight, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court after pleading guilty to controlling prostitution for gain and possession of false documents.
He has been jailed for one year and nine months.
In July 2016, following reports of a potential ‘pop-up’ brothel, a harm reduction visit was conducted by police and immigration officials at a flat on Willesden Avenue, Longsight.
Two Romanian women were discovered inside the brothel and Popa later arrived at the property claiming he was just a friend.
Then in October 2016, as part of a human trafficking investigation into women believed to be selling sexual services across the UK, officers became aware of a number of adverts on adult websites that were linked to Manchester.
Following enquiries, it was found Popa had paid for and posted these adverts which promoted sex workers.
Further enquiries and warrants revealed that Popa was running a number of brothels with several women aged between 18 and 26 who had travelled to the UK from Romania.
As a result of the warrants, officers also recovered several women’s Romanian ID cards which Popa kept to discourage them from leaving, as well as mobile phones.
Analysis of a mobile phone led officers to discovering the further brothels in Rusholme.
Tribute paid to hospital radio legend Patrick Murphy
Bradford Council reports strong progress on financial recovery
Bradford nurseries recognised with elite ‘900 Club’ award
Teenager injured in Dewsbury bus station stabbing as three arrested
Seven Jailed for Over 40 Years in Halifax Drugs Crackdown
Twelve Charged Over Non-Recent Child Sexual Offences in Calderdale
Bradford Cathedral Hosts ‘Triangle of Unity’ Exhibition
Muslim Aid Launches Winter Support for Vulnerable Communities
30 Years of Clean-Ups: Britain’s Largest Muslim Youth Group Takes to the Streets on New Year’s Day
Bhangra Nights
Legal Show
Alim OnAir
The Golden Era