Faces of couple who killed client in Wednesfield then sold his Rolex watch and bought a car
A sex worker and her pimp will be sentenced tomorrow for killing a client at his home - before taking his jewellery to sell.
Ricardo Maragliano was found dead at a property he rented and used in Thorneycroft Lane, Wednesfield on May 30, 2023.
Sex worker Vasilica Bornescu, 34, and her partner and pimp Ovidiu Gurita, aged 39, had been with him in the hours before his death. They were arrested and later charged by police.
Earlier this week at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Gurita was found unanimously guilty of the murder of Mr Maraglianio. Bornescu, his partner, was found guilty of manslaughter - but not of murder.
The jury took 15 hours to reach their verdict on the pair, who the court earlier heard had deliberately gone to the property with the intention of robbing Mr Maragliano of his jewellery including rings and a Rolex watch.
The pair were both found guilty of robbery but not guilty of administering a drug in order to commit a crime.
Forensic investigation had revealed that the couple’s fingerprints were found at the scene, and DNA evidence pointed to Bornescu.
Within days of Mr Maragliano's death the couple had sold the jewellery and Rolex watch they had taken from him and bought a car.
Detectives continued with enquiries, scrutinising phone records, text messages and voice notes which showed the pair talking about drugging and robbing Mr Maragliano.
The cause of Mr Maragiano's death remains inconclusive, but the jury heard that he had suffered a compression to his neck.
Judge Simon Drew told the jury Gurita was facing a mandatory life sentence, whilst Bornescu's would likely be less.
The pair will be sentenced on Thursday (July 17).
