Trial to resume in alleged human trafficking case

The trio was arrested in July as part of an investigation in which a house on Longworth Street, Preston, was visited and two Romanian women were identified as allegedly having been brought to the UK and subjected to sexual exploitation.

Marius Petre, 26, of Longworth Street, Preston, denies two counts of rape, intentionally arranging or facilitating entry into the country of a person with a view to their sexual exploitation, and causing or inciting prostitution between July 10 and 27.

His co-defendant of the same address, Adrian Matei, 34, denies the same charges.

Ionut Ion, 35, of Longworth Street, Preston, who wore a stripey top and Adidas jacket, denied two counts of rape against one of the women on July 24 and July 25 and assisting in the management of a brothel.

Relatives of the men have travelled from Romania for the proceedings, which are expected to last at least three weeks.