by Keith Hunt

The boss of a string of brothels across Kent has been jailed for two years and a husband and wife who assisted him have each been jailed for 12 months.

A judge said it was clear that Dennis Williams was running a substantial commercial business involving mainly refugee Chinese prostitutes.

Geoffrey and Ling Newman, he said, were "trusted lieutenants" and played important roles.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that the brothels operated from addresses in Herne Bay, Sittingbourne, Margate and Ramsgate between May 2005 and December 2007.

Allister Walker, prosecuting, said the fact that more than £70,000 was spent on newspaper advertising was an indication of how lucrative the venture was.

"It is impossible to say how many prostitutes worked at the premises," said the prosecutor. "Being a cash trade, it was impossible to say how much money was made."

Mr Walker said the enterprise belonged to 54-year-old Williams and he ran it with the help of the Newmans.

The brothels were in Station Road and Richmond Road, Herne Bay, Unity Street, Sittingbourne, Margate Road, Ramsgate, and Ethelbert Road, Margate.

Geoffrey Newman, 54, was a mini-cab driver in Margate and his main role was to chauffeur around call girls and take them on home visits.

His 43-year-old wife worked at brothels and assisted in their management and day to day running. Her bank accounts were used to receive money and transfer it to Hong Kong.

She had no legitimate income that could account for a £40,000 deposit and transfer out in just seven days.

Williams, of Ethelbert Road, Margate, and the Newmans, of Richmond Road, Herne Bay, denied conspiracy to control prostitutes for gain, but were convicted.