KIRKCALDY MAN OCTAV-GEORGE DIMITRU CONVICTED OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND SEXUAL ASSAULT IN KIRKCALDY

Octav-George Dimitru, a 27-year-old man with connections to Kirkcaldy, has been found guilty in a case that has shocked the local community and brought to light the dark realities of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The conviction was handed down at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court after a detailed trial that uncovered the disturbing circumstances surrounding the exploitation of an 18-year-old Romanian woman.

According to court proceedings, the woman was deceived into traveling to Scotland in 2019 under false pretenses. She believed she was coming to work in bars, but upon arrival, her situation drastically changed. She was subjected to coercion and manipulation, ultimately being sold for sex. Over the course of her ordeal, she was forced to engage in sexual acts with approximately 20 different men, a number that highlights the extent of her exploitation.

The woman’s testimony revealed that Dimitru, along with another unidentified man, attempted to rape her and explicitly instructed her not to scream during the assault, fearing that neighbors might hear and intervene. Her courage in waiting for Dimitru to fall asleep before contacting the police early on September 20, 2019, was a pivotal moment in her rescue. When authorities arrived at the flat on Pratt Street, they discovered a significant amount of evidence, including large quantities of condoms, lubricant, and wet wipes, which underscored the ongoing sexual activity and the nature of her exploitation.

She was kept confined in the flat under false pretenses, with her captors claiming she owed a debt for her travel and sustenance. She was coerced into performing sex work through an online profile under a false name, with her interactions with clients being recorded. One client testified in court that he paid £70 for sex at the address, further confirming the extent of her forced labor.

Financial records and witness testimonies painted a picture of Dimitru’s involvement. The landlord of the flat recalled Dimitru paying rent in cash and discussing his girlfriend, as well as inquiring if he wanted to bring other women into the property. Dimitru maintained that he was unaware of her activities as a prostitute, claiming he was merely staying at the flat while seeking employment. He stated that he had traveled from Romania with her, financed by a boyfriend, and that his intention was to find work in Scotland.

Despite his claims, Dimitru was convicted on two serious charges: allowing his flat to be used for habitual prostitution in collaboration with human trafficking and assault with intent to rape. His previous residence in Rugby was noted, but his current status is that he is now on the sex offenders register. The court has scheduled his sentencing for August 7, where further penalties are expected to be handed down.

This case highlights the ongoing issues of human trafficking and exploitation within the region, and the authorities’ commitment to bringing perpetrators like Dimitru to justice and protecting vulnerable victims from such heinous crimes.