Man, 75, walks from court after admitting running two brothels

Sentencing Raymond Telford, 75, at Leeds Crown Court yesterday Judge Alastair McCallum said he hoped with his 76th birthday imminent the defendant had had enough of such businesses.

The court heard that on December 8 last year police raided a flat in Kirkgate in Leeds City Centre and an address in Bayswater Road, Harehills, Leeds where prostitutes were found to be working and clients accepted they were paying for sexual services.

Telford’s home was also searched and £12,350 in cash seized. He accepted he received £10 from the girls’ proceeds and an additional £10 from any visitor who took a shower or had a sauna at his premises.

In a basis of plea submitted to the court, Telford said he was aware the premises were being used for prostitution and “fantasy” activities but did not personally employ any of the girls who just turned up at the brothels.

Chloe Fairley, prosecuting, said in March this year police officers found sexual services were again being offered at the Kirkgate premises .

On that occasion when Telford’s home was searched £4,069 cash was seized.

The court heard in 1986 the pensioner received a suspended sentence for similar offences and two years later in May 1988 was jailed for six months for brothel keeping and breaching the suspended sentence.

John Harrison representing Telford said police knew of the premises and had made monthly visits to them in the past and Telford was not aware why their attitude had changed.

He had helped them in another investigation.

None of the women who were working on the premises had been subjected to any coercion or were under age

He handed the judge photographs of the women using the premises on the day of the raids so he could see their age and Judge McCallum commented: ”None of those ladies would be refused a drink at the local pub I suppose.”

Telford, of Shakespeare Approach, Burmantofts, Leeds admitting running the brothels and was given six months in prison suspended for 12 months with an electronically monitored curfew to remain in his home between 2-6pm each day for three months.

He will face further financial proceedings.