A man has appeared at Craigavon Court accused of ‘controlling prostitution for gain’.
The charge faced by Christian Vasile (24), is that on December 28 last year he ‘intentionally controlled the activities of another (a named female) relating to the said person’s prostitution and did so for or in the expectation of gain for yourself or a third person contrary to Article 63 of the Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008’.
The defendant, with an address listed as Dunvegan Street in Belfast, is also charged with using a vehicle without insurance at, according to the charge sheet, Shaftesbury Square in Belfast.
The charges relate to December 28 last year.
The defendant appeared at court on Friday via video link from prison.
He had the assistance of a Romanian language interpreter at court.
A police officer said there were 38 adverts for “escort services” on a website.
The officer alleged the ads were uploaded through a phone.
The officer said there were also emails linked to a phone.
A “Romanian-speaking officer” is to examine details on the mobile phone, it was said.
The officer told the court the PSNI believe one of the adverts was in respect of a passenger in a car.
The court was told “financial information” was obtained from the internet site “in relation to a lot of credit cards that have been used”.
A potential bail address for the defendant in Leicester is being examined.
The defendant was further remanded in custody and the case was adjourned to January 9.
