Pair pay for running brothels

28/09/2007

Today, following an application by the CPS, a confiscation order to the value of £74,365 was made against Cai Zhuang and £23,760 was made against Lin Ma at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

HHJ Glenn found that Zhuang and Ma had benefited in relation to their criminal activity and were given 28 days to pay in full or face the possibility of returning to prison.

The order was made under the Proceeds of Crimes Act 2002 (POCA). This allows the court to make an order against a defendant(s) to pay a sum equal to their benefit from the crime. If they fail to do so, their assets which can, and often are frozen by the courts, can then be sold to pay the order.

Zhuang and Ma both pleaded guilty at their trial on 15th January 2007. Zhuang was sentenced to eight months imprisonment and Ma to 16 months imprisonment for their involvement in the running of four brothels, one in Stoke-on-Trent, one in Burton-upon-Trent and two others in the Midlands Area.

Steve Ash, Senior Crown Prosecutor and Proceeds of Crime Act specialist said: This case sends a strong signal to those who gain financially from crime. Such criminals face potentially, not only custody but upon leaving prison finding their homes and assets sold.

The proceeds will be used to uphold the law, and to benefit damaged communities.

Zhuang and Mai ran a number of lucrative brothels across the Midlands and this order will ensure that they pay for their crimes from their own pockets.