Men tried to sell woman as sex slave, court told

A young woman from Lithuania was raped by seven men who then tried to sell her as a sex slave, the High Court in Belfast heard…

A young woman from Lithuania was raped by seven men who then tried to sell her as a sex slave, the High Court in Belfast heard yesterday.

The court was told the 23-year-old university graduate was held captive for 28 hours in houses in Newry and Armagh where she was subjected to the most vile sexual abuse.

The allegation was made during a bail application by Andrius Sliogeris (20), a Lithuanian living at Tyross Gardens, Armagh, who is accused of rape, buggery, false imprisonment and abduction.

Crown counsel Charles McKay said the extreme sexual acts took place last month after the woman was forced into a car in Coalisland, Co Tyrone.

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He said: "The next day her captors tried to sell her as a sex slave into prostitution for €15,000. But a man who had been brought to the house said she was 'used goods' as a result of what had happened to her and refused to buy her.

"She was then released and told to get £5,000 from her employer. When he said he did not have the money she became hysterical as she feared for her life and the police were contacted."

Mr McKay said bail was opposed because it was feared that Mr Sliogeris would abscond.

Mr Justice Morgan said if Mr Sliogeris was involved in organised crime then he must conclude that he would reoffend and he refused bail.