Eight people are due to face a two-month jury trial later this year after they denied human trafficking charges.

The group is accused of trafficking people into exploitation in Swindon over a three-year period.

Two men, Ion Stroie and Daniel Cobzaru, appeared at Swindon Crown Court on March 14 where they pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to engage in human trafficking.

The pair were both extradited from Romania last month.

Stroie, 33, of no fixed address, and Cobzaru of High Road, Leyton, join six others on the indictment for the trial, which is due to begin on June 1.

The other defendants who have pleaded not guilty are:

  • Cristina Olaru, 29, of Commercial Road, Swindon
  • Victoria Olaru, 25, of Commercial Road
  • Priyantha Yakdehige, 53, of Vasterne Close, Purton
  • Ionut-Constantin Vulpe, 25, of Commercial Road
  • Gigi Ciobanica, 43, of Grassmere Road, Birmingham
  • Danut Alexandru Cretu, 26, of The Chase, Croydon

The court heard some counsel feared the trial window, which is set to see both of Swindon Crown Court’s courtrooms used for six to eight weeks, would not be long enough.

Prosecutor Duncan Milne said it was the Crown’s view that the window ought to be sufficient.

Judge Peter Crabtree said he preferred the trial should be held in Swindon, considering the backlog of cases caused by the Covid pandemic.

“This has taken a considerable amount of management by presiding judges, managing judges, the whole circuit,” he told counsel.

“We’ll have to use two courts.”

Should the June date not be met, the trial would be unable to take place this year which would be unacceptable.

All defendants, except for Stroie, are on bail.