Leeds brothel keepers have their assets confiscated
On 6th December 2007, at Leeds Crown Court, David Knott aged 51 and his wife Lorraine aged 47 of Ashton Place, Bramley, Leeds together with Marcus Doyle aged 33 or Renaissance Drive, Churwell, Morley admitted running brothels between July 2004 and May 2006 namely Sonja’s on Elland Rd, Leeds, Secrex in Apollo House, Harehills and Tiffany’s in Tyersal, Bradford
David Knott was sentenced to 12months imprisonment suspended for 2 years with a 150 hour Community Service Order (CSO); Lorraine Knott was sentenced to 9 months imprisonment suspended for 1 year and 100 hours CSO and Doyle was sentenced to 3 months imprisonment suspended for 1 year.
A total of 6 defendants were brought to justice that day as a result of an operation conducted by West Yorkshire Police’s Drugs and Organised Crime Unit.
Following this successful prosecution the force referred the above three subjects to the North East Regional Asset Recovery Team to conduct a confiscation investigation in a bid to recover their substantial assets gained through their criminal conduct; the other three defendants were dealt with by financial investigators attached to West Yorkshire Police .
As a result of the NE RART confiscation investigation, on 15 December 2008 at Leeds Crown Court the following confiscation orders were made:
David Knott’s criminal benefit was decided as £111,879.56 and a confiscation order was made in the sum of £16,132.54, he was given 56 days to pay with a default prison sentence of 9 months.
Lorraine Knott’s criminal benefit was decided as £112,376.76 and a confiscation order was made in the sum of £80,020.20, she was given 6 months to pay with a default prison sentence of 18 months.
Marcus Doyle’s criminal benefit was decided as £21,865.54 and a confiscation order was made in the sum of £300 which has been paid.
DCI Steve Waite, Head of the North East Regional Asset Recovery Team said “This is a prime example of what can be achieved by partnership working. This defendant has benefitted from his crimes and has now been ordered by the court to repay his ill-gotten gains. This sends out a clear message that crime does not pay and reassures the public that the law enforcement agencies are working hard to secure convictions and strip the criminals of the proceeds of their crimes. If you think someone is living beyond their means or is committing crime call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
