Rapist forced woman into prostitution in Coventry after threatening to kill her children - The Coventry Observer

Rapist forced woman into prostitution in Coventry after threatening to kill her children

Coventry Editorial 21st Dec, 2018 Updated: 21st Dec, 2018   0

A HUMAN trafficker has been convicted for callous crimes in Coventry including modern slavery and rape.

Robert Petre, 33, coerced a vulnerable Romanian woman into prostitution in the UK last year by threatening to kill her children.

He met the victim, a woman in her 20s, in Romania in February last year.

Two weeks later he forced her to move to England.




While here, he regularly beat and raped her while forcing her into prostitution in Coventry.

He would keep any of the money she made.


In April last year, she managed to escape from the house where she was being held and went to the police.

Having fled the UK, Petre was arrested in July this year after being extradited from Romania under a European Arrest Warrant.

Petre, of no fixed abode but residing in Coventry and originally from Romania, was convicted at Warwick Crown Court on Thursday (December 20).

He was found guilty of arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation, controlling prostitution for gain, two counts of rape and assault.

Detective inspector Dave Andrews, modern slavery advisor, said: “I would like to pay tribute to the bravery of the victim in this case.

“I hope this conviction will be of some comfort to her as she continues to come to terms with what has happened to her and begins to rebuild her life.

“Petre is a calculating and controlling man who kept a hold over his victim by threatening to kill her children who remained in Romania.

“He has now been remanded in custody awaiting sentencing in the New Year and won’t be able to cause harm to anyone else.

“His conviction should serve as a warning to others who look to exploit vulnerable people.

“Warwickshire Police takes all reports of modern slavery and sexual offences extremely seriously.

“I would encourage anyone who has suffered from these offences to report them to police.

“We will treat you with sensitivity and offences will be thoroughly investigated.”

Anyone with concerns that someone is being exploited should call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

You can also contact the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700. For more information go to www.modernslaveryhelpline.org

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