Black Country murder victim kept life as vice girl secret, court told

Romanian-born Lidia Pascale was last seen entering client Matthew Cherrington's house in West Bromwich last November. Friends told a jury of their fears after the 26-year-old failed to return and did not answer her phone.

Cherrington, aged 32, denies murdering Miss Pascale.

Miss Pascale had told childhood friend Adrian Albulescu, who dropped her off at the High Street address, she would be '45 minutes - an hour max' and he became concerned when she failed to emerge.

Speaking via video link from Romania, he said he suspected what she did for a living because she always had money despite not having a regular job but she never discussed it.

"It was her personal business," said Mr Albulescu, 30, who stayed with her at the Smethwick home of her friend, Mariana Buica, when he visited the UK to buy a car. He had agreed to take her to her West Bromwich appointment in his new BMW.

When Miss Pascale later failed to show, he called her mobile number 'numerous times' and banged on the door but to no avail. He then picked up Miss Buica, whose English was better than his, to see if she could raise the occupant.

Miss Buica told Birmingham Crown Court that when Mr Albulescu called, she thought her friend was upstairs in the house they shared and sent her a message via WhatsApp asking if she was in her bedroom, receiving the reply 'no'. It was the last and only communication from her.

The pair called the police after they failed to get a response to their door-knocking. Pc Alan Bradley, one of the officers called to the scene said there was no movement inside and the place was in complete darkness. They spoke to neighbours but left 20 minutes later.

More than 50 specialist officers and dogs were involved in the search for Miss Pascale whose body was found a few days later in Hope Street, just 100 metres from the house where she was last seen.

Cherrington, of High Street, West Bromwich, denies murder. The case continues.