A trafficker who brought women to the UK to sexually exploit them has been jailed following a two year investigation during which he fled the country.

Romas Drulia, of no fixed address, controlled and ran four brothels across Rochester, Gillingham, Chatham and Maidstone between April 2013 and October 2015.

He was at the German-Polish border and brought back into the country at Biggin Hill Airport.

The 35-year-old went on to plead guilty to two counts of human trafficking for sexual exploitation, six counts of controlling prostitution for gain and four counts of managing a brothel for prostitution.

Drulia used online job adverts as a ploy to force women into prostitution.

He helped traffic two Lithuanian women into the country and forced them to work in the sex trade or risk being harmed.

Drulia seized their passports and forced them to pay rent in the brothel they were living in.

Detective Sergeant Jason Booth, from the Kent and Essex serious crime directorate, said: “Drulia was involved in an organised criminal network that cruelly and unscrupulously exploited women.

“The victims were offered hope of a new life with better prospects but instead they were forced to illegally work as prostitutes.

“Outside of their home countries, there was no one around to support these women and that was a vulnerability that Drulia exploited for financial gain.

“Thankfully the victims have now returned to their families and are receiving the support they need.

“The suffering they were subjected to is no less than modern day slavery, something we as a police force are working tirelessly to eradicate.”

Drulia took cuts of what the women earned and left the UK before police could arrest him.

He was spotted trying to cross the border in Sweicko in February and was arrested at Biggin Hill Airport.

He was sentenced to four and a half years at Maidstone Crown Court today (July 31) and will be deported upon serving his sentence.

The Salvation Army has a confidential help line which is 0300 3038151. This link will also take you to a dedicated section of their website.