A couple who killed two men in a honeytrap scheme have been jailed for 17 years. Adina Mihai, 31, and Madalin Dumitru, 30, targeted vulnerable men seeking sexual services, spiking their drinks with gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) to render them unconscious before robbing them.
Their actions led to the deaths of Malcolm King, 80, and Gary Mouat, 37. Two other victims, who cannot be named for legal reasons, survived but were poisoned and robbed. Police believe there may be other victims who have not yet come forward.
Guilty Pleas and Sentencing
Mihai and Dumitru pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter and two counts of administering poison at an earlier hearing. On Thursday, a judge sentenced them both to 17 years in prison.
After sentencing, chilling footage was released showing the couple stopping at a petrol station to buy a bottle of wine used in one of the poisonings. A TikTok video also shows Mihai singing in the passenger seat while Dumitru drives to Mr Mouat's house.
The Scheme and Victims
The couple, Romanian nationals living in Ilford, Essex, targeted men between August 2024 and July 2025. They took payment for sexual services they never intended to provide. Chilling audio features Mihai telling one victim: "Ok babe don't worry - I am going to come to you - send your live location - to come directly to you my love."
Oxford Crown Court heard that Mihai would secretly spike victims' drinks with GBL, which converts into the sedative GHB in the body, to knock them out before stealing items like expensive watches and aftershave. Mr King was found dead at his home in Bagendon, Gloucestershire, on August 21, 2024, while Mr Mouat was found dead at his property in Banbury, Oxfordshire, on July 13 last year.
Investigation and Aftermath
A post-mortem revealed Mihai had poisoned Mr Mouat with GBL. Mr King's death was initially deemed non-suspicious due to a pre-existing health condition, but further toxicology tests showed he had also been poisoned. Detectives later discovered two surviving victims across the south of England who had been drugged and robbed.
Charles White, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "This couple hatched a plan to make money by drugging vulnerable males who would approach them for sexual services in their own homes. They surreptitiously gave them GBL with a view to knocking them out so they could then take choice items of value from their properties because they needed money for their lifestyles."
Prosecutors said the couple led "chaotic lifestyles" and a "hand-to-mouth existence" but generated significant sums from their activities. Mihai's DNA and fingerprints were found at both death scenes, and phone and vehicle data placed them in the area.
Mr White added: "They calculated that their victims would not come forward. It was an embarrassing situation the victims found themselves in. And they calculated that as long as they didn't ransack the place or cause them any serious harm, the victim was very unlikely to come forward to the police, so they would get away with it. They probably felt they were safe, but of course they gave too much GBL or in a quantity that resulted in deaths and then inevitably the police became involved and the net closed in on them very quickly indeed."
Detective Inspector Michael Roddy, of Thames Valley Police, said: "Adina Mihai and Madalin Dumitru deliberately targeted and exploited men for financial gain, showing a complete disregard for the devastating consequences of their actions. Their offending was calculated, predatory and ultimately cost two innocent men their lives. Gary Mouat and Malcolm King were much-loved family members whose deaths have left lasting pain for those who knew them. They were treated as opportunities for financial gain by Mihai and Dumitru, who were motivated solely by greed."
He added: "Our thoughts remain with Gary and Malcom's families, who have shown immense dignity and resilience throughout this investigation. Today's sentence reflects the seriousness of these crimes, and I hope it provides a measure of justice to the victims, their families and all those affected by the actions of Mihai and Dumitru. We are keeping an open mind to further offending and urge those who think they may have come into contact with the pair or may be a victim, to please come forward."
Detective Inspector Adam Stacey, of Gloucestershire Constabulary, said: "I am glad that these dangerous people are behind bars and cannot inflict any more pain and suffering. We believe there are more men out there who may have encountered Mihai in similar circumstances, and who were drugged and had possessions stolen from them. I would urge these men to contact police and would like to reassure them that their report will be dealt with sensitively and discreetly."
