A woman has been told by a judge she could be jailed next month for sex trafficking crimes linked to the running of a Carlisle brothel.
Ana Stefan, 29, appeared at the city’s crown court this afternoon and admits three offences.
Two involve the arranging or facilitating travel of two other women with a view to exploitation.
Stefan also admits a charge of controlling prostitution for gain, having intentionally controlled the activities of other persons relating to their prostitution in any part of the world. Court papers show she did so for — or in the expectation of — gain for herself or a third party.
At the crown court last week, Stefan entered guilty pleas to crimes committed between January, 2020, and September of the following year.
In front of Judge David Porter today, prosecutor Andrew Evans said the basis originally submitted to explain her admissions had not initially been deemed acceptable by those bringing the case against her.
But discussions had been held in recent days between Mr Evans, police and Stefan’s lawyer, Andrew Gurney. Mr Evans said an updated basis of plea “makes key concessions” about the defendant’s role in the illegal operation that had been running.
That basis was now felt to be acceptable, meaning the case could now proceed to sentence.
This is due to take place at the crown court on April 19 with Judge Potter adjourning the hearing for preparation of a probation service pre-sentence report exploring Stefan’s background and the circumstances of her offending.
“But the court is not bound to follow the recommendations,” Judge Potter told Stefan of that report, “and all sentencing options, including immediate imprisonment, remain open.”
Stefan, of Woodrouffe Terrace, Carlisle, was granted bail. Conditions imposed by the court ban her from applying for any documents that would enable her to travel out of the UK; neither must she facilitate the entry into or exit from the UK of any other persons.
