Political Editor - £1m of Assets Seized From Brothel Keeper

(Photo: Monica Orozco)

A Brothel Keeper in Reading has had over £1m worth of assets seized in a joint effort by police and the Assets Recovery Agency to clamp down on prostitution in the area.

Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) Financial Investigators, working in partnership with Thames Valley Police, have secured a Confiscation Order for £1,079,644 against Jonathon Leeming of Stratfield, Basingstoke, Hampshire, who was convicted of conspiracy to control prostitutes and was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment in January 2006.

The offences first came to light in August 2004 when a criminal investigation was launched following a number of complaints being received by police from residents in Reading.

Two premises were identified which were believed to be operating as brothels in the town at Regents Court, Great Knollys Street, and ‘Club 263’, 263 Oxford Road.

Following raids on these premises four women admitted to being prostitutes at 263 Oxford Road and two admitted to similar activity at the Regents Court address.

The property at Regents Court is a two bedroom ground floor flat in a residential area. Prior to being closed, it was operated as a brothel under the names of ‘Amy’s Angels’ and ‘Donna’s Dungeon’, and was also known as ‘Darkest Desires’.

Mr. Leeming was the owner of these premises prior to their repossession and sale, and a statement submitted by a resident of Regents Court described how from mid-2003 there was a steady stream of male visitors to the premises who would only stay for short periods of 30 minutes to one hour.

One woman arrested at Oxford Road premises stated that the she believed that there were approximately 20 women working from the address and that over the course of one year, despite having only worked two days per week, she had accumulated approximately 130 clients.

Another woman arrested at Regents Court stated that her fee was £60 per 30 minutes, with £25 paid to the house.

On 23rd November 2005 at Oxford Crown Court, Mr. Leeming was convicted of controlling prostitution for gain between 1st May 2004 and 16th August 2004. On Friday the 20th January 2006, the defendant appeared at Guildford Crown Court and was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment.

On Thursday 14th December 2006 at Reading Crown Court, HHJ Risius certified that the benefit derived by Mr. Leeming from his general criminal conduct amounted to £1,079,644, and made a Confiscation Order for that same amount. The court ordered Mr. Leeming to make payment of the order to the ARA within three months or he will face 10 years’ imprisonment in default.

Local MP Martin Salter has hailed the seizure of £1,079,644 in assets from an Oxford Road brothel keeper as a “landmark legal ruling” which will “send shockwaves through the vice trade in the Thames Valley”.

Mr Salter said;

“The judge has delivered a landmark ruling which I’m sure will send shockwaves through the seedy network of pimps, drug dealers and brothel keepers that dominate the vice trade in the Thames Valley. I couldn’t be more pleased to hear that Mr Leeming faces the choice of handing over one million pounds of his ill-gotten gains or face 10 years in prison.

He added:

“The beauty of the Proceeds of Crime Act is that it enables the authorities to go after the criminals who live a life of luxury whilst others do their dirty work. Hopefully this will serve as a strong warning and deter others from trying to fill the gap in the market”.

Battle Ward Councillor Chris Maskell added:

“The overwhelming majority of local law abiding people who live and work in the Oxford Road areas will be delighted with this news. Club 263 has been a blot on the landscape for far too long and the cause of many complaints from local residents. This ruling will help us clean up the Oxford Road”.

In addition to 263 Oxford Road Mr Leeming also owned properties at Regents Court, Gt Knollys Street, Reading which operated as brothels under the names – “Amy’s Angels” and “Donna’s Dungeons”.

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