An Albanian couple accused of holding a young woman against her will and forcing her into prostitution at a house in Sutton were found guilty on Tuesday.

Mirela Zeneli and Blendi Krasniqi showed little emotion as jurors at Kingston Crown Court returned their verdicts after seven hours and 11 minutes of deliberations.

Zeneli was also found guilty of three counts of aiding and abetting rape, but her partner Krasniqi was cleared of two charges of rape. They both denied all the charges against them.

The court had been told a 20-year-old woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, came to the UK from Lithuania in 2004 under the pretence she would be selling illegal cigarettes. But within three months of her arrival she had met the defendants who forced her to become a prostitute.

The woman became so desperate to escape her torment that she attracted the attention of the police by stealing a wallet and a mobile phone from a stranger.

Addressing the Albanian couple, Judge Price QC, said: "These were horrific offences, they had a desperate effect on the victim which will no doubt be long lasting.

"You must understand that the sentences I impose will be custodial and will be lengthy, by that I mean a substantial number of years."

Speaking after the verdicts, Detective Inspector Martin Wade said: "During the course of this 18-month investigation a catalogue of abhorrent crimes committed against a vulnerable and terrified young female have been uncovered.

"The verdicts achieved are without doubt a tremendous result for not only the Metropolitan Police Service, but moreover the British justice system."

Detective Sergeant Tony Eddington, who led the investigation, added: "My heart goes out to the victim of this crime. She has been very courageous in assisting us with our enquiries. It has been a long and complex investigation and I would like to give thanks to my team."

DS Eddington said that the victim was "ecstatic" after hearing the verdicts and has already returned to Lithuania where she has two young children.

Both defendants will remain in custody until they are sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on Friday June 9.