A ROMANIAN woman brought to the UK in the belief that she would be able to find work was sold to a Bournemouth man who locked her passport in a cupboard before sexually assaulting her, a court has heard.

The woman - who cannot be named for legal reasons - believed she was to be a waitress when Filip Constantinescu paid for her flights to the UK in the summer of last year, it is alleged.

However, prosecutors say that when she arrived, she was told she must work as a prostitute, before eventually being sold to Muhammed Wassem, of Charminster Road.

Prosecuting, Rob Welling told jurors on the first day of a trial yesterday that the woman was first taken to Constantinescu's rented three-storey property in West Street, Bicester, Oxfordshire, where she discovered a number of other women living and working as prostitutes.

Constantinescu's "right-hand woman" Mihaela-Gabriela Budisteanu - described in court as the "lead prostitute" - was told to take her to a property in Ilford, London, to encourage her into prostitution, it is alleged.

It is also claimed that the woman was photographed in her underwear so Constantinescu could place her picture on a website advertising prostitutes' services.

But after telling 35-year-old Constantinescu and Budisteanu that she would "rather be dead" than sell her body, it was arranged that the woman would be sold to Wassem and forced to become his wife, it is alleged.

"[Constantinescu] told her she would have to be a prostitute or he would beat and rape her," Mr Welling said.

"Eventually, he said she had another choice. One of his tenants, Kabir Ahmed, had found a solution. She should become engaged to a friend of his."

It is claimed that 26-year-old Wassem needed to participate in a 'sham marriage' to avoid to being asked to leave the country and return to Pakistan.

When the woman arrived at his Bournemouth home, she was allegedly sexually assaulted by Wassem, who is also charged with headbutting her.

"She was unable to speak English, miles away from family and friends, with her passport and identity card locked away in a wardrobe in the next room - she was a prisoner at the address," said Mr Welling.

"[Wassem] demanded she should wear clothes like those worn by Pakistani women, and cover her head with only her eyes showing."

Ahmed, 28, was charged in connection with the case, but jurors were told he has "skipped bail" and the trial is to continue in his absence.

Constantinescu and Budisteanu are charged with controlling prostitution for gain, while Constantinescu is also charged with trafficking for sexual exploitation and forced marriage.

Budisteanu - who is married to Ahmed - is believed to have returned to her native Romania.

Constantinescu, Wassem and Ahmed and jointly charged with conspiracy to facilitate a breach of immigration law.

Wassem is charged with forced marriage, sexual assault and assault by beating.

The defendants deny all of the charges against them.

The trial, at Bournemouth Crown Court, continues.