Romanian couple jailed 17 years for fatal honeytrap scheme in UK

A Romanian couple has been sentenced to 17 years in prison each for their roles in a scheme that involved drugging men with a powerful sedative, stealing from them, and ultimately causing two deaths. Adina Mihai, 31, and Madalin Dumitru, 30, admitted to the manslaughter of Gary Mouat, 37, and Malcolm King, 80, at Oxford Crown Court.

The couple targeted victims through online advertisements where Mihai posed as a sex worker. Dumitru would drive her to the clients' homes, waiting nearby. Once inside, Mihai would offer the men alcohol spiked with gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), a potent sedative. The victims would lose consciousness, allowing the pair to steal cash, jewelry, watches, and other valuables.

In total, four men were drugged. Two died, while two survived the attacks. Malcolm King, who had heart problems, died in August 2024, and his death was initially not considered suspicious. The investigation gained momentum after Gary Mouat died nearly a year later, leading police to connect the two fatalities and investigate the other two survivors.

During sentencing, Mrs. Justice Brunner warned the couple about the dangers of GBL, noting that they left victims in a state of deep unconsciousness without considering the risk of them not waking up. The judge stated that the couple acted out of greed and should have recognized the potential for serious harm or death. Mihai had come to the UK from Romania and began advertising her services online in 2023. The prosecution emphasized that the couple's actions were driven by financial gain.

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You left each victim alone in a state of deep unconsciousness, and a moment's thought could and should have led to the realisation that they might never come round.