A 24-YEAR-OLD Romanian man has appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged in connection with human trafficking and prostitution.

Alexandru Pitigoi, of Waterside, Heysham, is charged with conspiring to facilitate the travel of another person for the purpose of exploitation and conspiring to incite prostitution for gain.

He was sent in custody to Preston Crown Court where he will appear on July 31.

The court heard several other people were already before the crown court as part of the same conspiracy.