Sexual slavery gang jailed

Updated 21.16 Fri Sep 14 2007

Keywords: brothels, east European, gang

Five members of an international brothel gang have been jailed for up to 13 years each for forcing terrified teenage girls into a life of sexual slavery.

Having been lured to Britain with the promise of well-paid jobs, the eastern European youngsters found themselves held prisoner and forced to "entertain" dozens of men a week.

One girl was warned her "life would be finished" and her sister would suffer if she ever tried to escape

Disobedience was met with threats and one 16-year-old who dared beg for her freedom was viciously beaten and promptly put back to work.

Another, who was 19, was warned her "life would be finished" and her sister would suffer if she ever tried to escape.

London's Southwark Crown Court heard the operation - described by judge Peter Testar as "highly organised and profitable" - embraced a string of luxury brothels across the capital as well as one on the first-floor of a Wolverhampton pub.

With takings of up to £5,000 a day, it is estimated those involved pocketed more than £1m between them.

Lithuanian national Mantas Dumasius, a 22-year-old drug dealer and "prostitute supplier", of Wimbledon, south-west London was jailed for 13 years and fellow countryman Grazuydas Rudaitis, 24, of Kensington, west London, who arranged the rent on some of the brothels received a seven year jail term.

Also before the court were the brothel operation's accountant Yaokang Huang, 27, of Woolwich, south-east London, who was jailed for two years, brothel manager Karrong Jiang, 26, of Westminster (five years) - both Chinese - and British national Edward Hui, 34, of Woolwich, who owned the London brothels (six years).

They all admitted controlling prostitution for gain on or before December 12, 2006. Dumasius also pleaded guilty to having a prohibited handgun and ammunition.

In addition, he, Hui, Jiang and Rudaitus variously admitted to drug possession and supply charges involving cocaine, Ecstasy and cannabis worth nearly £80,000.

All four non-UK nationals were recommended for deportation.

Two other men, Petra Aleknavicius, 24, from Dagenham, Essex, and Virginijus Suchodolskis, 32, from Wimbledon, will be dealt with later.

Both admitted controlling prostitution while the latter also pleaded guilty to falsely imprisoning the 16-year-old.