A WOMAN who was trafficked into the UK and forced into prostitution has spoken out after the man responsible for her plight was jailed.

On Tuesday, Florica Calin was jailed for 12 years for offences of trafficking for sexual exploitation, money laundering and conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

The court heard how Calin had arranged and paid for a woman to come to the country on a promise of work in a factory but once she arrived into the country, immediately forced her into prostitution.

Police launched an investigation after she went into a shop in Burnley in November 2018 and asked for help. Detectives then uncovered a network of brothels where the woman, a Romanian national, had been forced to work.

In a video released after Calin was jailed, the brave victim spoke out about her traumatic experience.

Speaking through a voice actor to conceal her identity, she said: “I just kept praying and I kept asking god, how can I run away? How can I escape?

“I could feel that I was being kept hidden. They were keeping me hidden even though they would give the impression that it was my choice to keep myself hidden away. It was because of them. I was so scared.

“They wouldn’t even allow me to look out the window. I just thought, God whatever will come will come.

“By that time I had fallen twice off my feet – I just collapsed and I was extremely scared and I just thought god, whatever comes it will come anyway.

“So I just thought never mind I just forgot about all the GPS devices and everything and I just went”

The police investigation unearthed the locations of several brothels at addresses in Preston, Accrington and Burnley.

Calin had previously been arrested for trafficking in London in 2009 and was extradited to Spain to face the same charges. He was convicted and jailed for nine years. He also has convictions in Romania for pimping.

Calin’s partner, 39-year-old Paula Coltatu, was jailed for 16 months for offences of money laundering and perverting the course of justice. At the time of her arrest she claimed to be a victim but her story unravelled and it was proved she was working with Calin.

She fled to Romania after being charged but was brought back to the UK on a European Arrest Warrant.

The victim, aged 36, has now returned to Romania.

Det Sgt Stu Peall, whose team uncovered the brothel network run by Calin, said: “This woman was treated as nothing more than a commodity without any regard for their wellbeing or human rights. The evidence clearly showed that Calin was controlling this woman for the purposes of prostitution.

“Lancashire Constabulary is committed to tackling exploitation of all kinds and today’s sentences are the culmination of the hard work and dedication of our officers who continue to work proactively to put an end to modern slavery.

READ: Man jailed for forcing trafficked woman to work as prostitute

“We welcome any community intelligence that may help to identify addresses where prostitution may be taking place. If you suspect suspicious activity is taking place, please let us know. We take all reports seriously and will investigate thoroughly.

“I hope this sentence sends a message to victims of sex trafficking that Lancashire Police will always support complainants and look to prosecute those bringing misery to the lives of vulnerable people

“We want to offer help and advice for people who think they may be victims of human trafficking or slavery.

“There are a number of ways you can contact someone for help. You don’t have to speak directly to the police there are charities that can help you. You can also ring some services anonymously; you do not have to give your name or go to court or give a statement.”

For information, help and advice visit https://www.lancashire.police.uk/help-advice/safer-communities/modern-slavery/