A woman accused of modern slavery offences and the alleged trafficking of two women for sex has appeared before a Carlisle court.
Ana Stefan, 29, faces three charges.
Two of these allege that she arranged of facilitated the travel of two different women between January 1 of 2020 and September 15, 2021 with a view to them being exploited. These charges have been brought under the Modern Slavery Act of 2015.
A third charge levelled against Stefan, of Woodrouffe Terrace, off London Road, Carlisle, alleges the controlling of prostitution for gain.
Court papers show that she is alleged to have intentionally controlled the activities of another person in relation to their prostitution in any part of the world for — or in expectation of — gain for herself.
This is also said to have occurred between January, 2020, and September last year.
Stefan appeared at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court this afternoon for a five-minute hearing. She spoke from the dock through a Romanian interpreter to confirm her name, date of birth and address, and to say she was giving no indication of pleas to the charges at this stage.
During a short address to the court, prosecutor Andy Travis said it was alleged that 184,000 euros had passed through the defendant’s hands between the dates of the charges.
“It is a complex case,” said Mr Travis. “It is only suitable for the crown court.”
District judge John Temperley committed the case to Carlisle Crown Court. Stefan is due to appear there in front of a judge for a plea and case management hearing on January 4.
In the meantime Stefan was granted bail. There are four conditions. Stefan must surrender her passport; not leave the UK; she cannot purchase travel tickets that would allow any person to enter or exit the UK; and must reside at her current address.
