A couple who ran a brothel offering a variety of p

A couple who ran a brothel offering a variety of personal
services including kinky sex and spanking walked free from court today
(Mon) with suspended sentences.

Recession-hit electrician Peter Gardiner and beautiful blonde
lover Layla Mok (correct), both 34, ‘managed’ the house of ill-repute
in Cranbrook Road, Barkingside, Ilford, under the guise that it was a
legitimate massage parlour.

But after a four month stake-out cops headed by Pol Sgt Jeff
Perella from Barkingside Police Station raided the building on
December 30 last year, Snaresbrook Crown Court was told.

Gardiner and Mok, both of Rectory Church Lane, Sheering, Essex,
admitted charges of controlling up to five prostitutes and making a
living from prostitution.

Mr Martin Binning, prosecuting, said that during weeks of
observation undercover police officers had paid visits to the vice den
and been offered more than the massages that were advertised in the
local press.

After a five pound entrance fee had been paid clients were
offered personal services which included anything from straight sex to
spanking and watching pornographic videos.

On the day of the raid a number of school and nurses’s uniforms
as well as whips and condoms were recovered.

Passing sentence Judge Gerald Gordon told the pair, of previous
good character, that they had pleaded guilty to offences ‘involving in
reality taking part in the running of a brothel.

‘In the Crown’s case you were the management of this brothel –
and brothel these premises most certainly were.

‘
Judge Gordon said photographs of the inside of the house showed
that bedrooms were not used for legitimate massages and exhibits in
the case ‘provided disgusting evidence of what was going on in those
premises.

‘The courts have made it abundantly clear that sentences of
imprisonment are appropriate for offences such as these.

‘
But Judge Gordon took into account that there was ‘no evidence of
coercion’ in sentencing the couple each to four months imprisonment
suspended for two years.

Mr Philip Proghoulis (correct), defending, said father of four
Gardiner had separated from his wife and fallen in love with
Australian divorcee Mok last year and together started the illegal
business.

Counsel described both domestic and financial problems which hit
self-employed electrician Gardiner:
‘In early 1991 the recession began to take its toll on him.

‘
Defending mother of one Mok, Miss Margaret Barnes, said that
‘there was no great profit from this.

‘
ENDS