A MAN and woman have appeared before a court in Carlisle accused of human trafficking and modern slavery crimes.

Ben Dumitru, 24, and Alexandra Madalina Dumitru, who is aged 21, jointly face four charges.

One alleges that they both required a person to perform forced or compulsory labour, between October 13 and November 14 this year. Court papers allege that the circumstances were such that both “knew or ought to have known” that a woman was being required to perform that forced of compulsory labour.

Two other charges allege that the two defendants held a person in slavery or servitude, during a period of several weeks both during this month and last.

And a fourth charge alleges that Dumitru and Dumitru arranged or facilitated the travel of another person with a view to a woman being exploited. This is said to have occurred between October 11 and November 11.

All four charges have been brought under the Modern Slavery Act of 2015.

The two Romanian nationals appeared at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court on Friday when they were assisted by an interpreter during a short hearing.

No pleas were entered to any of the charges they face.

Their case was committed to Carlisle Crown Court where they are due to appear in front of a judge for a plea and trial preparation hearing on December 15.

In the meantime both defendants, whose addresses were given in court as Eustace Road, London, were remanded in custody.

Ben Dumitru is previously said to have had an address in Carlisle.