12/05/2010

Sex Trafficker Found Guilty For Sexual Exploitation

A man who, together with his partner made more than a million pounds running a brothel empire, was yesterday convicted of conspiracy to traffic people within the UK for sexual exploitation.

Michael Dalton was found guilty following a trial at Croydon Crown Court. His partner, Nikki Chen, had also admitted trafficking for sexual exploitation at an earlier hearing.

The pair ran four brothels, exploiting women they had trafficked from Asia to work in them. They made more than a million pounds running the brothels over a six year period.

They owned properties in Gloucestershire and Surrey, as well as luxury Mercedes and Lamborghini sports cars, bought with the proceeds of their crimes.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's Clubs and Vice Unit carried out a proactive investigation into the activities of Chen, Dalton, and others from October 2008 to July 2009.

During the operation officers observed at least a dozen customers visiting each of the brothels every day. The minimum payment for services from prostitutes working in the premises was £60, ranging up to £120 per hour.

Following raids on the premises in London and the Home Counties, police closed down four brothels.

Chen, 56, and Dalton, 44, both of Kingston Road, Leatherhead, have also been convicted of money laundering offences. Chen has already surrendered £250,000 and the amount Dalton, 44, is to repay will be determined at a future hearing.

Manjit Singh, 33, of Boyn Hill, Maidenhead, and Ian Garrett, 43, of Kingston Road, Epsom, also admitted conspiracy to traffic people in the UK. Singh was involved in the transportation of women to and from premises. Garrett also assisted in this role and was seen carrying luggage that belonged to trafficked South East Asian women whilst he escorted them to brothels.

All four will be sentenced on the 11th June 2010.

Another three women also admitted management of brothels earlier this year and were sentenced to up to three months each before deportation.

(CD/NS)

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