Man on trial accused of rape and running brothel in Black Country town during Covid lockdown
The 36-year-old is on trial accused of modern slavery offences
A 36-year-old man is on trial accused of running a brothel at a Smethwick residential property during Covid lockdown.
Leonardo Stingaciu is charged with one count each of keeping a brothel for prostitution, relating to a house in Arden Road, and conspiring to control prostitution for gain, as well as three counts of rape. The charges relate to the period between November 2020 and June 2021.
On Tuesday (July 28) the police recording of a video interview with the alleged victim was played to the jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
Speaking through an interpreter the woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, described how she met the defendant in Romania after being introduced by an acquaintance when she was aged 17.
She stated: “He was a very good actor. He was capable of making me feel guilty and played games with my brain.
“At first he was sociable and my family saw that he was trying to please me. Everyone loved him. I felt loved.
“We were getting along fine until he assaulted me. He had a cousin who used to visit us, and Leonardo thought that I was looking at his cousin.
“He slapped me and there was a point when he encouraged me to drink alcohol every day. I never got drunk until I met Leonardo.”
Stingaciu, of no fixed abode, denies the offences.
The trial continues.