Charges have been dropped against a former businessman accused of being a pimp.

Mike Waterton allegedly handed out cards for an escort agency at The Village Hotel in Maidstone .

It was claimed he then arranged a meeting between an escort and a member of the public via text.

The 44-year-old was charged with controlling prostitution for gain. He denied the offence when he appeared at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court in August.

The hearing was adjourned for case management until last Friday and Waterton, previously of Green Way, Tunbridge Wells, but now living in Cheshire, was told he would not be required to attend.

At last week’s hearing Lorrayne Synmair, for the Crown Prosection Service, told magistrates she would not be pursuing the charge due to insufficient evidence.

Chairman of the bench Catherine Worden-Hodge agreed to drop the case.

Waterton’s co-defendant and girlfriend Holly Brennan is charged with criminal damage and assault following an incident at the same hotel in Forstal Road on the same day.

The 26-year-old, who lives with Waterton, was also due to appear at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court in August and again last week but failed to attend on both occasions due to illness.

The court heard Brennan, who denies the charges, was staying at the hotel but was asked to leave due to bad behaviour.

When staff entered her room to remove her she allegedly assaulted a man, damaged his tie, and broke a card reader.

But Fionagh Green, defending, said three men burst into Brennan’s room when she was partially dressed.

She added that it was not clear they were staff and the defendant thought she was being attacked so she lashed out to defend herself.

The case was adjourned until Thursday, December 17 for a trial, with Brennan’s unconditional bail extended until that date.