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'Classroom' uncovered in swoop on suspected city centre brothel
THESE pictures show a suspected brothel uncovered in a police raid in which officers were shocked to find a fully-equipped classroom and a dungeon-style room.
The business, which calls itself "Westgate Old School", in Wakefield city centre, advertises services on the internet including role-play in its "school classroom" and "dungeon".
On Thursday, officers from the Wakefield central neighbourhood police team made inquiries about suspected sexual activity going on behind the locked doors of a building in Thompson's Yard.
After screams were heard coming from behind a locked door, police swooped and arrested two women on suspicion of running a brothel for personal gain.
As the women were being detained, men were arriving from across the country expecting to take part in what they described as "harmless role-play sessions".
The bookings cost up to 200 a time.
Inspector Dave Peach of the Wakefield policing team said the investigation into the business was at an early stage.
But he said: "This raid shows the police team's commitment to cleaning up the city centre."
The raid came as enthusiasts from across the country were expected to visit Wakefield to attend a fetish party today – priced at 25 per ticket.
It was billed as the "Northern Caning Nite", featuring caning competitions, corporal punishment and a dress code that included school uniforms.
But the event was cancelled and it has been suggested the organisers have links to Westgate Old School.
Police uncovered a range of fetish equipment including stocks, whips and birches, masks, and a classroom complete with a blackboard and the office of "headteacher Miss W Hastings-Gore".
There were also charts on the wall, uniforms, handcuffs and a cage.
Two women from East Ardsley, near Wakefield, and Manchester, aged 47 and 35, have been questioned on suspicion of running a brothel for personal gain.
A professional-looking website promoting Westgate Old School makes no secret of what is on offer, with numerous references to "caning nights", "spanking parties" and photographs of the events.
As well as parties, the site also advertises "boarding school" events which involve three-day stays at the venue in "school dormitories".
The website says "day schools have always been the backbone of schools run by Hastings-Gore.
"These events comprise a mixed class of pupils, boys,
girls and cross-dressers, experiencing a full day of school lessons, based on the old school values".
A mobile phone number advertised on the website was answered by a woman who told the Yorkshire Post that nothing illegal had taken place.
She described the police raid as "absolute nonsense" and said that the business simply offered "role play and domination – that's all it is".
She added: "It's not a sexual service. We ask people not to ask for sexual services. Nothing illegal has gone on."
The woman, who declined to give her name or job title, said: "I answer the phone and field the cranks and people who ask for sex.
This is 100 per cent not a sexual service.
"I can't understand where this police raid has come from. You will have to speak to Miss Hastings."
She hung up when asked for a contact telephone number for Miss Hastings.
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
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