A Romanian couple have each been sentenced to 17 years in prison for the manslaughter of two men and the poisoning of two others, offences committed after drugging victims during sexual liaisons to steal from them.\n\nAdina Mihai, 31, who posed as a sex worker, and her partner Madalin Dumitru, 30, arranged to meet men at their homes in order to administer a powerful sedative hidden in alcoholic drinks. The cases came before Oxford Crown Court, where it was revealed that the glassed wine offered to four men was spiked with gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), a potent sedative that rendered the men unconscious.\n\nTwo of the victims, Malcolm King, aged 80 from Bagendon, Gloucestershire, and Gary Mouat, 36 from Banbury, Oxfordshire, died as a result. The other two victims survived but were left seriously harmed.\n\nMihai and Dumitru, formerly of Ilford, Essex, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and administering poison, in an offence described by the court as a coordinated criminal scheme.\n\nMrs Justice Brunner, who presided over the sentencing, remarked that the couple intended to incapacitate their victims to facilitate theft, using variable doses of an unregulated drug. She noted that the pair failed to pause and consider the severe risks posed by their actions, including the risk of death.\n\nPolice investigations revealed that Mihai advertised sexual services on the website Vivastreet, arranging meetings with men who believed they were paying for consensual sex. In reality, Mihai would encourage victims to drink the drug-laced alcohol, rendering them unconscious, after which she and Dumitru would steal valuables including watches, jewellery, aftershave and cash.\n\nDetective Inspector Adam Stacey of Gloucestershire Police highlighted the danger of the couple’s disregard for the victims’ safety, saying, “They had no regard at all for their safety or well-being, leaving them unconscious without any aftercare.” He emphasised that their crimes exploited vulnerable individuals and amounted to a dangerous enterprise.\n\nDetective Inspector Michael Roddy of Thames Valley Police described the case as highly complex, involving cooperation with the National Crime Agency and other police forces. He added that many victims had never reported the offences due to embarrassment, and some only came forward when approached by police.\n\nLegal representatives for Mihai and Dumitru acknowledged their clients’ remorse. Mihai expressed recognition of the harm caused, attributing her actions to difficult personal circumstances and denied any intention to harm. Dumitru also apologised unconditionally to the victims’ families.\n\nThe court heard details of the individual cases: Mr King, a wealthy retiree with heart conditions, arranged a meeting at his home in August 2024 where he consumed the spiked wine. He was found dead the following morning. Mr Mouat hosted Mihai in July 2023, drank the drugged wine and was found unconscious, later dying. Two other victims suffered loss of property and unconsciousness but survived.\n\nThis case highlights the severe consequences of drug-facilitated crimes and serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by potent substances like GBL when misused.