A Romanian couple who drugged men seeking sexual services to rob them have been jailed for 17 years after two victims died. Adina Mihai, 31, and Madalin Dumitru, 30, admitted to the manslaughter of Gary Mouat, 37, from Oxfordshire, and Malcolm King, 80, from Gloucestershire, in 2025 and 2024 respectively. The pair also pleaded guilty to poisoning two other men with the sedative gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) during their trial at Oxford Crown Court. Both received 17-year prison sentences. Mihai, who posed as a sex worker, and Dumitru orchestrated the scheme by arranging to meet men via online platforms. She advertised her services on VivaStreet, taking cash deposits from victims before meeting them at their homes. Dumitru would drive Mihai to the location, waiting in a car nearby. Once there, Mihai would encourage the victim to drink alcohol laced with GBL, rendering them unconscious. While the victim was incapacitated, Mihai searched their home for valuables such as cash, jewelry, and watches. Dumitru remained outside, reportedly armed, in case of trouble. The court heard that four men were targeted using this method. Two of the victims, King and Mouat, died as a result. King, who had a history of heart issues and a pacemaker, was initially treated as a non-suspicious death. However, the case was reopened after Mouat’s death in similar circumstances nearly a year later. Detectives linked the two incidents through forensic evidence, including items stolen from victims and Mihai’s fingerprints found on wine glasses left behind in the men’s homes. During the trial, prosecutors revealed that the couple had moved from Birmingham to Ilford, Essex, prior to carrying out the crimes. They described the pair as acting out of greed, believing their victims were unlikely to report the crime due to the sensitive nature of the encounters. Julian Evans KC, the prosecutor, stated that the defendants had formed a joint plan to covertly administer the drug, despite knowing its potential dangers. The judge noted that the administration of GBL was haphazard, varying in dosage and potency, increasing the risk of severe harm or death. In a poignant moment during the sentencing, a video statement from Gary Mouat’s eight-year-old son was played. The child expressed grief and confusion, asking the defendants why they had chosen to kill his father instead of simply taking the money. He described his father as a kind, humorous, and loving person, emphasizing the loss he had suffered. The boy recounted how his life had become difficult since the incident, struggling with fear and sadness. His mother, Louise Mouat, also spoke in court, describing her husband as a “friendly, funny and kind man” whose death had shattered her future and family plans. The court also heard that two additional victims survived the attacks, though they remain unnamed due to legal protections. Items stolen from these individuals were recovered from the couple’s vehicle, which was stopped by police in Essex. Mihai’s fingerprints were found on the glasses used to serve the poisoned drinks, linking her directly to the crimes. Judge Mrs Justice Brunner KC emphasized the reckless nature of the defendants' actions, stating that even a brief consideration of the risks associated with GBL could have prevented the fatalities. She noted that the pair had failed to conduct basic research into the toxicity of the substance, highlighting their lack of awareness regarding the danger they were inflicting. The judge concluded that the defendants had acted with a clear intent to exploit their victims, prioritizing financial gain over human safety. As the couple faces the consequences of their actions, authorities have urged any remaining victims to come forward. The case underscores the dangers of unregulated substances and the devastating impact of criminal behavior on vulnerable individuals. The victims’ families continue to seek justice and closure, hoping that the outcome of the trial serves as a warning against such predatory acts.
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