Man and woman who fatally drugged two men jailed for 17 years each

A man and a woman who fatally drugged two men and poisoned two others have been jailed for 17 years each.

Adina Mihai, aged 30, and Madalin Dumitru, aged 29, both formerly of Ilford, East London, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of two men, 80-year-old Malcolm King in Bagendon and 37-year-old Gary Mouat in Banbury.

The pair, both formerly of Ilford, admitted two further counts of administering poison

Between August 2024 and July 2025, Mihai and Dumitru targeted men who were seeking sexual services, taking payment for services they did not intend to fulfil.

Upon meeting at their homes, Mihai spiked their drinks with gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), a chemical that transforms into the sedative GHB, rendering victims unconscious, allowing the pair to steal valuables such as watches and cash.

King and Mouat succumbed to the effects of the poisoning.

Mihai and Dumitru were also found guilty of similar charges related to two surviving victims who were drugged and stolen from during the same period.

The investigation, spearheaded by Detective Inspector Michael Roddy from Thames Valley Police and Detective Inspector Adam Stacey from Gloucestershire Constabulary, unravelled the duo's calculated and predatory actions.

Forensic links initially connected Mihai to the deaths, prompting further examinations that confirmed the administration of GBL as the cause of death in King’s case.

Thames Valley Police issued a national bulletin following Mouat’s death, leading to Gloucestershire Constabulary reassessing King’s death, originally deemed non-suspicious, due to a pre-existing health condition.

Thames Valley Police Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Michael Roddy, of its Major Crime Unit, 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.

"Our thoughts remain with Gary and Malcom's families, who have shown immense dignity and resilience throughout this investigation.

Gloucestershire Constabulary’s Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Adam Stacey, of its Major Crime Investigation Team, added:

“Mihai and Dumitru are callous individuals who gambled with the lives of their victims by intentionally incapacitating them with a dangerous drug before stealing from them, and leaving them unconscious and alone.

"Sadly, Malcolm King and Gary Mouat lost their lives as a result of their actions and our thoughts remain with their families.

“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."

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