Sex workers punched, hit, attacked in ‘appalling, violent’ ordeal after refusing man’s sexual advances

A man’s violent assaults against two sex workers – who were hit in the face, punched and thrown into walls, all because they refused his sexual advances – has been laid bare in court.

Dumitru Sebastian Erimescu walked free from Brisbane District Court on a suspended sentence more than a year after the horror ordeal, which unfolded after a drunken night out in Fortitude Valley when he invited two strip club workers back to his home.

The “appalling and terrible” affair earned the scorn of Judge Nicholas Andreatidis KC, who said Erimescu was “fortunate” he was not going to jail.

“Do not underestimate just how lucky you are that you are not actually going to prison today,” Judge Andreatidis said on Tuesday.

“Next time you go drinking, stop.

“Stop before you get to that point you can’t control yourself. Drinking is not an excuse for any level of misconduct, let alone this type of violence.”

Erimescu was initially facing more serious charges of deprivation of liberty and torture, but these did not proceed to his sentencing.

Instead, he pleaded guilty on Tuesday morning to five counts of common assault and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The court was told Erimescu, 27, had been out drinking at the Love & Rockets strip club on October 15, 2023, where he asked one of the 21-year-old dancers to come home with him for $2000.

She declined, but later agreed while saying she “couldn’t do anything she wouldn’t do at the club”.

Crown prosecutor Rebecca Guppy-Coles said Erimescu transferred the 21-year-old $3500 while waiting for an Uber.

Another sex worker, 28, also agreed to go back to Erimescu’s home but both women indicated no sexual intercourse would occur.

The court was told he behaved sexually towards the first complainant under the belief he had paid for sex.

Ms Guppy-Coles said both women decided to leave, but Erimescu insisted he had “paid for the transaction” and offered more money.

Erimescu then assaulted both women – slapping and punching them, grabbing them in the neck and chest area, pushing one back into a walk-in wardrobe and another into a wall.

“Both complainants tried to push him away,” Ms Guppy-Coles said.

Erimescu demanded his money back and at one point took one of the women’s licences, but she was able to get it back.

He later apologised and both women were allowed to leave.

Ms Guppy-Coles said both women suffered some serious injuries – one being left with a fractured eye socket.

“It was unprovoked, it was an attack on two vulnerable complainants … fortunately for the defendant they escaped without permanent injuries,” she said.

Neither of the victims attended court.

Erimescu’s offending was described as a complete departure from his otherwise good character and an “isolated aberration”.

Defence barrister Matthew Hynes said his client had lost his trucking business as a result of the charges being laid and subsequent media reporting of the torture charges before they were dropped.

“The torture charges which were initially brought by police, would never have withstood scrutiny,” Mr Hynes said.

Numerous supporters joined Erimescu in court, including his sister who had delayed her wedding to support him.

Character references – including some from his former partners – were submitted on his behalf.

Mr Hynes said Erimescu had prepared a letter of apology and offered compensation to the victims.

Judge Andreatidis ultimately imposed a wholly suspended sentence of 19 months, accepting the offending was out of character for Erimescu.

He took into account Erimescu’s lack of criminal history, his remorse and the stress the delay in the case sentencing had caused him.

Erimescu was ordered to pay $3500 in compensation to the victims.