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Ex-cop on sex and trafficking charges

A 39-year-old former police officer and a Chinese woman, 33, have been charged with people trafficking and controlling prostitution after police raids in Northern Ireland and England.

Appearing separately in the dock of Belfast Magistrates Court, the duo were charged with two counts that on dates between 20 April and May 18 this year, they intentionally arranged or faciliated the arrival in the UK of another person knowing that “something would be done” which would involve a sexual offence.

They were also charged with two counts of controlling prostitution on the same dates “in the expectation of gain for themselves or for a third party”.

A PSNI detective told the court he believed he could connect both to the charges.

The charges arise after a PSNI led, UK wide investigation into a Chinese prostitution ring, resulting in numerous raids in Londonderry and Belfast last Thursday when six women, all believed to be Chinese, were rescued.

During a bail application the officer claimed that the rescued women had been duped into coming to Northern Ireland after they answered job advertisements in England.