A GANG dressed as police officers knocked on prostitutes' doors and told them sex work was illegal after Brexit before raiding their homes and attacking a frightened woman, a judge heard.

Stefan-Catalin Dunareanu visited various addresses posing as a client and asking about prices for sex. He then returned with two accomplices all dressed in fake uniforms.

They told the women their work was illegal and demanded entry to their homes.

When one victim became suspicious and asked for identification she was brutally attacked and knocked unconscious by one member of the group.

Dunareanu was convicted on two counts of burglary and sentenced to four years in jail.

Jurors saw CCTV footage of the 27-year-old entering Luscinia View and New Bright Street in October last year before asking the prostitutes about prices.

Ed Renvoize, prosecuting, said: "As she opened the door two other men came in with him shining flashlights in her face.

"They told her prositution was illegal after Brexit and began demanding money, identification and documents.

"The men were dressed in high visibility jackets with police written on them and by their actions were clearly purporting to be police officers.

"If he was not in Reading on those days, he would surely want to shout from the rooftops about his innocence. He has instead chosen to say nothing.”

Dunareanu was later arrested at his home on Ilford Lane, Ilford, where he claimed he was on the night of the offences.

Daren Samat, defending, questioned why police failed to question other people living at his London address to check his alibi.

He said: “If you don’t pursue potential leads, it is unfair for you to speculate and the jury should not be forced to play detective.

“He has said he was not involved several times."

Dunareanu was convicted of two counts of burglary and acquitted of one count of assault, following the trial at Reading Crown Court on Friday, April 21.

Judge Patrick Hamlin added: “These are appalling offences. You targeted young women, believing they would be on their own.

“Although you were unaware that violence would be used, you willing posed as a police officer and attempted to take advantage of these women as part of a gang.”

The two other men involved in the case are still at large.