Man and woman who admitted killing two men and drugging two others are jailed
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A man and a woman who fatally drugged two men and poisoned two others before stealing from them have today (13/8) each been jailed for 17 years.
Following a joint investigation by Gloucestershire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police, Adina Miha and Madalin Dumitru pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of two men, aged 80 and 37 at a hearing at Oxford Crown Court on 24 June.
The pair, both formerly of Ilford in Essex, also each admitted two further counts of administering poison.
The court heard how Mihai, aged 31, and Dumitru, aged 30, arranged to meet men who had been seeking sexual services between August 2024 and July 2025.
The pair took payment from the victims, for sexual services that they did not intend to provide.
After arriving at victims’ homes, Mihai would secretly spike their drinks with gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) - a substance that converts into the sedative GHB when in the body - to render them unconscious before stealing items such as watches and aftershave.
Two men died, as a result of this, while two others survived.
Malcolm King, aged 80 and from Bagendon near Cirencester, was found dead in his property on 21 August 2024, and 37-year-old Gary Mouat was found dead at his property in Banbury on 13 July last year (2025).
Following a post-mortem examination, detectives from Thames Valley Police Major Crime Unit ascertained Mihai had poisoned Mr Mouat with GBL after secretly adding it to an alcoholic drink.
While Mihai was at Mr Mouat’s address, Dumitru sent her a text in Romanian, which was translated to: “OK put [him] to sleep.” Dumitru then texted Mihai: “See if he has a watch, something else, jewellery, etc., more important.”
Through forensic links, this led Gloucestershire Constabulary’s Major Crime Investigation Team to conduct further enquiries into Mr King’s death, which was initially deemed to be non-suspicious due to a pre-existing health condition he had.
Further toxicology tests revealed Mihai had also poisoned Mr King with GBL.
Detectives subsequently discovered two surviving victims from across the south of England, who Mihai and Dumitru had drugged and stolen from.
The pair were arrested on 31 July last year and charged on 6 August last year following Mr Mouat’s death.
Mihai and Dumitru were further charged on 24 April this year (2026) in relation to Mr King’s death.
Before Mihai and Dumitru were sentenced at Oxford Crown Court today, the court heard a Victim Impact Statement read by Mr. King’s daughter which described the impact of their crimes: “When my father was killed, the defendants did not only end his future.
"They stole mine as well. That is something no sentence can ever return. It is a loss that I will carry for the rest of my life.”
Mr. King’s sister also spoke about the enduring impact of her brother’s death: “I might have been able to come to terms with losing my brother if he had died naturally or as the result of a tragic accident.
"Instead, his life was unlawfully taken by the actions of other people. It is something that weighs heavily on my mind and has robbed me of any sense of peace.”
The court also heard from Mr Mouat’s wife, Louise, who said her family’s life had ‘changed forever’.
“I had to tell my eight-year-old son that his daddy had died; someone who should have been around to watch him grow up was gone,” she said: “I will never forget the scream that came from him when he realised his daddy was gone forever; he dropped to the floor and begged me to say it wasn’t true.”
Mrs Mouat added: “You’ve destroyed my present and taken away my future; you’ve taken away the plan for Gary and me to grow our family.”
The court also heard a statement from Mr Mouat’s nine-year-old son: “Ever since my dad died my life has been really tough. I miss him every day and will never get to see him again.
“I will never be able to get another dad and that makes me feel so sad. You have ruined my life and all the plans we had to do things together. My family is destroyed now.”
His statement ended with: “I will never get over my dad being killed, I will never forget him and I will miss him for the rest of my life. I hope I make him proud.”
Sentencing Mihai and Dumitru, Her Honourable Mrs Justice Brunner KC told them: “It ought to have been obvious to you that to administer a covert, uncontrolled dose of such a serious substance to strangers you knew nothing about was a risk to their lives.
“You left each victim alone in deep unconsciousness and a moment's thought could and should have led to the realisation that they might never come around."
Her Honourable Mrs Justice Brunner KC also paid tribute to Thames Valley Police and Gloucestershire Constabulary’s joint investigation "that have brought these offenders to justice’".
Gloucestershire Constabulary’s Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Adam Stacey, of its Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “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."
Thames Valley Police Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Michael Roddy, of its Major Crime Unit, said: "Adina Mihai and Madalin Dumitru deliberately 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.
"This case presented significant challenges and required officers and staff from Thames Valley Police and Gloucestershire Constabulary to work tirelessly to uncover the full extent of the offending and our investigation revealed a dangerous pattern of behaviour that may otherwise have remained hidden.
"The Crown Prosecution Service was also invaluable in stopping these offenders from causing further harm to the public.
"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.
"I hope that the way we dealt with this investigation will demonstrate how seriously we take such investigations and how sensitively we will treat any reports of offences.”
Lawyer Charles White, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "Adina Mihai and Madalin Dumitru exploited their victims in a calculated scheme, offering sexual services while intending to drug and steal from them.
"Driven by greed, the two defendants showed a complete disregard for the potentially devastating consequences of administering a powerful sedative.
"What began as a cynical plot to steal from their victims ended in the loss of two lives, and the victims who survived and the families of the deceased have been left to deal with the lasting impact of these crimes.
"Mihai and Dumitru must now face the consequences of their actions. We will continue to strive to bring offenders who commit such serious offences to justice."
Information can be submitted by completing the following online form and quoting 53260063954: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/
ADINA MIHAI
MADALIN DUMITRU