The sentencing of a Romanian grooming gang convicted of trafficking and raping ten vulnerable women in Dundee has been delayed until May 13th. Marian Cumpanasoiu, Remus Stan, Catalan Dobre, Cristian Urlateanu, and Alexandra Bugonea were found guilty last month. Judge Lord Scott postponed sentencing to allow for full risk assessments on Cumpanasoiu and Urlateanu, potentially leading to Orders for Lifelong Restriction.
Cumpanasoiu was convicted of ten rape charges, and Urlateanu of six. Lord Scott emphasized that extended sentences, potentially well into double figures, remain a strong possibility. The victims, some trafficked into prostitution and others addicted to crack cocaine, were exploited and abused.
Cumpanasoiu, the ringleader, was convicted of 15 charges, including raping seven women. One victim was gang-raped by Urlateanu, Stan, and Dobre. Bugonea, Cumpanasoiu’s partner, was convicted of involvement in one rape and illegal sexual activity. 2 Stan was convicted of three rapes and drug dealing, while Dobre was found guilty of raping and abusing four victims
Prosecutor Lisa Gillespie KC highlighted the victims' vulnerability, stating the gang took advantage of them, deepening their addictions. Urlateanu, Bugonea, and Dobre fled before trial but were later extradited from Belgium and the Czech Republic. Lord Scott described the case as an "appalling catalogue" of abuse and exploitation, assuring the defendants of "considerable" time in custody. Prosecutors are seeking Trafficking and Exploitation Prevention Orders against Cumpanasoiu and Stan.