'Health centre' in Accrington set up as front for brothel. 6 Jailed

[RadioKid]

A gang set up a ‘health centre’ in East Lancashire, which was in fact a brothel.

Shi Guang Zhong, Hongli Yi, Chen Cheng, Wanchun Zhang, Xinghai Zhou, Li Leong all appeared in Preston Crown Court on Friday, May 19, after helping in the setting up and running of brothels up and down the country, including one in Blackburn and one which they fronted as a ‘health centre’ in Accrington.

Prosecuting, Francis McEntee said that the group set up a ‘network of brothels’ across the country in Blackburn, Accrington, Bolton, London, Manchester, Coventry, Peterborough and many more towns and cities.

The prostitutes at the ‘shops’ as they were called by the group, were being sold for ‘£70 for 30 minutes or £100 for an hour with additional services at additional costs’.
Police raided a ‘health centre’ on Bridge Street in Accrington which was a brothel ran by Yi, of Whalley Road Accrington.

Another of the brothels was on New Chapel Street in Blackburn which was raided on September 7, leading to the arrest of Zhang.

“Lancashire Constabulary is committed to tackling exploitation of all kinds and today’s sentences are the culmination of the hard work and dedication of our officers who continue to work proactively to put an end to modern slavery.”

“We welcome any community intelligence that may help to identify addresses where prostitution may be taking place. If you suspect suspicious activity is taking place, please let us know. We take all reports seriously and will investigate thoroughly.

“I hope these sentences send a message to victims of sex trafficking that Lancashire Police will always support complainants and look to prosecute those bringing misery to the lives of vulnerable people

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[Richthescouser]

The report mentions trafficking from the police but doesn’t offer much evidence to support that claim (similarly they don’t seem to have been charged with anything to do with trafficking). Is this a news story putting a bad spin on punters, or have they just not got the evidence to get a charge to stick? I avoid this type of place like the plague but I’m sure people on here know more.

[ISTS2005]

The report mentions trafficking from the police but doesn’t offer much evidence to support that claim (similarly they don’t seem to have been charged with anything to do with trafficking). Is this a news story putting a bad spin on punters, or have they just not got the evidence to get a charge to stick? I avoid this type of place like the plague but I’m sure people on here know more.

tbf Scutty is the absolute god when it comes to this stuff, he gives advice about places a bit ropey and also advice about how to report to the authorities if anyone has concerns which is more important. i'm surprised he didnt post this to be honest as he is usually all over this stuff

[scutty brown]

I didn't know it had come to trial otherwise I would have posted something

Annoying thing is that the Accrington Bridge St site is still open

[scutty brown]

From the addresses given both the Accrington and Blackburn sites were typical semi-derelict buildings with one "girl of the week" working 24/7, living and sleeping in the working room. Minimal changes of clothes and a smarmy git thug on the door to stop the girl from running away
Usual starvation diet of pot noodles for food
Accrington one was in the old Bridge Club
Blackburn one was a flat above a pizza shop, only accessible via a rickety unlit fire escape

[Backstreetboy]

Other than the lack of the thug on the door and the fact that the premises are units on shopping streets the MO seems to follow a pattern. In which case you do wonder if there is some other hold on the girls to keep them at the premises.

Whistle blow if illegal practices are suspected????

[scutty brown]

Other than the lack of the thug on the door and the fact that the premises are units on shopping streets the MO seems to follow a pattern. In which case you do wonder if there is some other hold on the girls to keep them at the premises.

Whistle blow if illegal practices are suspected????

The girls will almost certainly be under some kind of debt bondage scheme which they'll be scared to break.
And most of them don't speak English and have no idea where they are, making asking for help difficult
Whistleblowing is the only way they'll ever escape

[Richthescouser]

The girls will almost certainly be under some kind of debt bondage scheme which they'll be scared to break.
And most of them don't speak English and have no idea where they are, making asking for help difficult
Whistleblowing is the only way they'll ever escape

Absolutely. I’ve worked in the past dealing with trafficking and it’s hard work getting the evidence you need to help these people. Particularly when they don’t have good English and don’t trust the authorities. The more of these rats locked up the better.