Couple jailed for exploiting Hungarian women as sex workers

A husband and wife from Bolton who trafficked women to the UK to be employed as sex workers were jailed for 13 years today. 

Attila Angyal, 43, and Melinda Petrovics, 35, both of Fortune Street in Bolton, were members of an organised crime ring that exploited four Hungarian women. 

In March 2022, NWROCU detectives opened an investigation in response to concerns raised by Lancashire Police following a harm reduction visit.  At a property in Mincing Lane in Blackburn, a woman identified herself as a sex worker and showed officers a classified ad for her sexual services on an adult sex website using her phone.  

Detectives discovered a network of brothels in Bolton, Blackburn, Preston, Oldham, and Birmingham. Four Hungarian women who had been exploited via prostitution and paid a fraction of what they earned have now been safeguarded. 

Angyal and Petrovics were arrested and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit human trafficking through sexual exploitation, and conspiracy to control prostitution for gain. 

They appeared at Bolton Crown Court today (Tuesday 17 December) and Angyal was jailed for seven years and seven months, while Petrovics received six years and four months.

The judge also imposed 10-year Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Orders (STPO's) to protect potential victims from the physical or psychological harm which would result from a slavery or trafficking offence.

Angyal has previously been convicted for a string of offences including: 

- 42 months imprisonment for Human Trafficking and money laundering offences in the Netherlands in March 2012
- 1 year, 3 months’ imprisonment for fraud offences in Hungary in August 2005.

A third person, Mohamed Maravia, 45, of Romford Road, Preston received an 18 month suspended sentence for two years for participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group. He was also ordered to pay a £500 pound contribution to the court costs.

Detective Sergeant Jamie Illingworth from the NWROCU said: 

"This investigation involved a number of partner organisations including Greater Manchester Police, Lancashire Constabulary, West Midlands Police, TOEX, Bolton Social Services, Hope for Justice, and Black Country Women’s Aid, working together to ensure the victims were safeguarded and that the full scale of the crimes Angyal and Petrovics had committed could be proved. 

"The dedication and tenacity of the investigative team ably supported by CPS Mr Richardson and barrister Ms Alnaes, meant in the face of the overwhelming weight of evidence Angyal and Petrovics had no option but to admit their actions in court.

"I'd like to recognise the bravery and co-operation of the victims in this case, who have been instrumental in securing this conviction here today.

“The NWROCU is committed to tackling exploitation of all kinds and today’s sentences are the culmination of the hard work and dedication of our officers and partners who continue to work proactively to put an end to modern slavery.”