A couple have been jailed after they were found guilty of running a brothel and human trafficking ring which trapped more than a dozen women in modern slavery.

Luigi Cucu, 46, and Costela Soare, 37, of Smethwick near Birmingham , exploited 14 women between 2018 and 2023.

One victim, who was trafficked to the UK in 2015, was physically and verbally abused, introduced to abusing drugs which resulted in her accumulating large debts and controlled financially.

She was denied medical care and forced to work 20-hour days.

Another victim was severely malnourished, as she did not have enough funds to buy food, and her bones were protruding from her skin.

Police launched a three-year investigation into the couple, after they discovered online posts advertising women for prostitution.

Afte

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