A man and woman have appeared in court accused of illegally bringing an 18-year-old girl into the UK and forcing her into prostitution.
Ben Dumitru, 24, and his partner, Alexandra Madalina Dumitru, who is aged 21, face a total of five charges.
One alleges that they held a young woman in slavery or servitude.
A second charge alleges that they required the woman to perform forced or compulsory labour.
Charge number three alleges the arranging or facilitating the travel of the same complainant with a view to exploitation.
A fourth charge alleges that the defendants caused or incited prostitution for gain. And a fifth charge alleges the controlling of prostitution for gain.
All charges have been brought in relation to offending which is alleged to have occurred between October 9 and November 14 this year.
Both Dumitru and Dumitru, whose address is given as Eustace Road in West Brompton, London, appeared at Carlisle Crown Court remotely, over separate video links, this morning.
Ben Dumitru is said to have previously had an address in Carlisle.
During a 15-minute hearing, they both pleaded not guilty to each of the five charges when they were read in turn by a court clerk.
They are now due to stand trial in front of a jury at the crown court. This is set to start on February 19, 2024, and is estimated to last four to five days.
As he adjourned the case, Recorder Tony Hawks told the pair that in due course they should assist their legal teams in the preparation of statements setting out their defence to the allegations.
In the meantime both have been remanded in custody.
