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Judge shows mercy to Leeds brothel bosses
Two women who ran a Leeds brothel with an estimated turnover of £483,000 over four years have been spared jail.
A judge told Monika Campbell and Lisa Gaskin that if the government ever legalised prostitution then the way they operated the 133 Club in Beeston would be a "good business model".
Campbell, 40, and Gaskin, 39, were given community service after Leeds Crown Court heard how they paid tax, business rates and were VAT registered for the business on Dewsbury Road, which they advertised as a massage parlour.
The court heard how there were no problems with drink, drugs or antisocial behaviour, none of the staff were forced into working there and they operated a safe sex policy.
Judge Scott Wolstenholme said: "I suggest if the government ever legalise prostitution this would be a good business model."
The court also heard how the business operated with the "cognisance" of West Yorkshire Police.
Heather Gilmore, prosecuting, said former dental receptionist Campbell and Gaskin entered into a tenancy agreement with the owner of the semi-detached property in March 2005.
Ms Gilmore said their employment records show the pair began to make "significant profits".
They paid for a website promoting the services of the 133 Club and paid for adverts saying it provided "luxury massage" and that they required staff.
A website which produces reviews on brothels in West Yorkshire also held details of the club dating back to January 2005.
In January 2007 police and staff from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) raided the premises and warned the owners that they suspected it was an illegal brothel.
Gaskin said the premises were being used as a massage parlour, but was unaware sex was being sold.
Ms Gilmore said reviews kept being placed on the internet after the raid in which men were continuing to visit the brothel and receive sexual services.
Between August and September 2009 covert surveillance showed 839 men visited the premises, averaging around 25 customers a day.
The property was raided again in September 2009 and three "scantily clad" women were at the premises.
A book containing a list of girls' names and phone numbers was also found along with a holdall full of condoms and sex toys.
Officers went to Campbell's home on Vesper Gate Drive, Kirkstall, and seized 500 in cash and a notebook containing another list of girls' names.
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Gaskin was attempting to burn documents when they went to her home on Montague Avenue, Oakwood.
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A total of 6,745 in cash was seized.
The court heard how Lisa Gaskin applied for a mortgage on her 225,000 home by claiming she earned 56,000 a year as the owner of a health and fitness club.
The women at the club told officers they provided sexual services and a customer who was interviewed said he had twice visited for sexual satisfaction.
Campbell and Gaskin both pleaded guilty to a charge of keeping a brothel used for prostitution.
Derek Duffy, for Campbell, said when the club was raided in 2007 it was known to be a brothel.
He said at that time a number of high profile cases had collapsed against prostitutes as some police forces had entered into agreement with establishments selling sex.
He said: "It was better to have the sex industry in a situation where it could be properly monitored rather than driving it underground."
Mr Duffy said studies showed that 90 per cent of street prostitutes are addicted to drugs.
Judge Wolstenholme handed the pair a 12 month community order with 50 hours unpaid work.
He said: "It means you will harness your undoubted talents to doing good rather than prostitution."
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Friday 25 May 2012
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