A Romanian couple, Adina Mihai, 31, and Madalin Dumitru, 30, have each been sentenced to 17 years in prison after drugging and killing two men, and administering poison to two others, during sexual liaisons arranged through online adverts.
Oxford Crown Court heard the pair targeted men by posing Mihai as a sex worker, using the website Vivastreet to arrange paid sexual meetings at victims’ homes. Once inside, Mihai spiked victims’ wine with gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), a powerful sedative, rendering them unconscious while Dumitru waited nearby.
This method was intended to incapacitate victims so the couple could steal valuables such as watches, jewellery, aftershave, and cash. While no sexual services were actually provided, the victims believed they had agreed to such encounters.
READ MORE: Stratford Park Lido to Reopen This Weekend with DJ Performances and New Poolside Café
READ MORE: Gloucestershire sunflower fields still blooming amid scorching summer
Tragically, two victims died as a result of the drugging: Malcolm King, 80, of Bagendon, Gloucestershire, and Gary Mouat, 36, of Banbury, Oxfordshire. Two other victims survived but suffered harm from the drugs.
At an earlier hearing, Mihai and Dumitru pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter and administering poison to two other men, who remain anonymous for legal reasons.
Mrs Justice Brunner, sentencing the couple, emphasised the reckless nature of their actions, stating their administration of GBL was uncontrolled and carried a high risk of serious injury or death. She noted they did not intend to kill, but intended to render victims deeply unconscious and took insufficient care of their wellbeing.
Detective Inspector Adam Stacey of Gloucestershire Police described the couple’s conduct as exploitative and dangerous, targeting vulnerable men for theft under the guise of sexual services. He praised the extensive and complex nature of the investigation and expressed relief that the pair could no longer harm others.
Thames Valley Police Detective Inspector Michael Roddy highlighted the complexity of analysing GBL’s role in the deaths and noted many victims had not reported the crimes prior to the investigation.
Prosecutor Julian Evans KC outlined how Mihai would persuade victims to drink alcohol laced with GBL, then search their homes for valuables while Dumitru waited outside. The couple operated as a criminal enterprise motivated by greed, exploiting victims' reluctance to report due to the sensitive nature of the encounters.
The court learned that Mihai began working in the UK sex trade after moving from Romania, later leaving and returning in 2023. Both defendants previously lived in Birmingham and Ilford.
Following the sentencing, defence counsel expressed remorse on behalf of Mihai and Dumitru. Mihai acknowledged the suffering caused to victims’ families and described her actions as driven by survival amid difficult circumstances. Dumitru also conveyed regret and offered an unreserved apology to the victims’ families.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in drug-facilitated offences and the devastating consequences of reckless criminal behaviour.