Two women and a man have been jailed for their part in modern slavery and human trafficking in Liverpool.
Alexandru Dorobantu, Anda Maria Berki and Loredana Timos were sentenced to a total of seven years and three months after pleading guilty to the offences.
The trio, originally from Romania, were charged with the modern slavery and exploitation of three vulnerable young women also from Romania.
They included three counts of arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation; three counts of controlling prostitution for gain and attempting to cause or incite the sexual exploitation of a child aged 13-17 years
Both Berki, 27, and Timos, 22, were sentenced to three years in prison while Dorobantu, 24, received a 15-month spell behind bars.
Police arrested the defendants after a member of the public found two Romanian women, aged 20 and 24, in a distressed state and asking for help on Oakfield Road in July.
Detective Chief Inspector John Webster, said: “When officers arrived at Oakfield the two young women told them that they, and another girl aged 17, had been brought into the country by three other Romanians, who had promised them legitimate work in the UK.
“However, when they arrived in the UK they were told that they had been brought to the UK to engage in prostitution and their passports were taken off them.
“They were also denied access to any money. The three victims were taken to a house on Oakfield Road, Anfield.
“The two older women managed to escape from the house in the early hours of the following day, which was when they were found by the member of the public.
“As a result of inquiries detectives identified a house on Oakfield Road, as the address where the girls had been taken and executed a warrant.
“When they entered the property they found the third victim and the offenders.
“Officers also found evidence that the offenders were using a specific website to advertise women for sexual services.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to praise the three young victims for their courage and bravery throughout this case.
“The sentencing of these three offenders today will hopefully bring them some closure and comfort.
“Modern slavery is a despicable offence and those sentenced today targeted vulnerable young women who were looking to make a better lives for themselves in the UK.
“The girls dreamt of new beginnings, in a new country, but as soon as they landed in the UK their dream quickly turned in to a nightmare.
“I can’t begin to comprehend how frightening it must have been for them, but thankfully two of the young women had the courage to escape from their captors and raise the alarm.
“As a result we were able to take prompt and positive action which has resulted in the sentencing of these three people.
“Modern slavery and the trafficking of people are abhorrent abuses of human rights.
“But sadly we are seeing more and more cases involving vulnerable people who have been duped by ruthless people who use and exploit them.
“We need to stand together to stop this type of abuse and I would urge anyone who has any information relating to Modern Slavery or human trafficking to contact 101, or anonymously through the Modern Slavery Helpline on 0800 0121 700.”