Brothel keeper ordered to pay back £44,000

A pair of criminals involved in prostitution across the north of England, have been told by Newcastle Crown Court that they will have a debt of almost £1m hanging over them for the rest of their lives.

Neil Lock (29) formerly of Galashiels, was sentenced to four years in jail in September 2009 for running a brothel, managing prostitutes and aiding and abetting misconduct in a public office.

The long running criminal investigation into organised crime throughout the north of England was led Northumbria Police but was assisted by officers from Cleveland Police, Greater Manchester Police and Scottish forces.  The North East Regional Asset Recovery Team was engaged at an early stage to assist the investigation and conduct a confiscation investigation. 

Following a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing at Newcastle Crown Court on 26 March 2010, Neil Lock was ordered him to pay £43,826.62 within 28 days or face jail by way of the imposition of a default prison sentence of 18 months.

And both he and former partner Natalie Lock, also previously of Galashiels, have been found to have a criminal benefit liability of £447,000 each.

Natalie Lock - who was given a 51 week suspended prison sentence for keeping a brothel, controlling prostitution for gain and perverting the course of justice at Newcastle Crown Court last September;  was also ordered to pay a nominal sum of £1 to the court immediately. Other members of the “gang” were fined by the Court for their part in the criminal enterprise.

Northumbria Police Detective Superintendent Peter Farrell of the Total Policing Task Force said: "The people the force targeted were the organised criminals who ran the operations and made a great deal of money preying on the vulnerability and misery of others. The enquiry uncovered drug dealing, money laundering and access to unauthorised firearms.

"People like Lock were making huge amounts of money from this enterprise and used the proceeds of these crimes to fund a lavish and extravagant lifestyle."

Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Waite of the North East Regional Asset Recovery Team (RART) said: "The public can be reassured that the North East RART is working in partnership with Northumbria and Cleveland police and will ensure that the people who have engaged in this type of activity will be stripped of their ill gotten gains - no one will benefit from their crimes."

Under the Proceeds of Crime Act police can seize any cash or goods if they are believed to be criminal property or being used to commit crime.

Anyone who suspects a person is involved in criminality and is clearly living beyond their means can contact Northumbria Police, on 03456 043 043, or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.