A man and woman have been found guilty of brothel keeping following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.
Sixty year old Margaret Paterson and 61-year old Robert Munro were convicted of brothel keeping, living off immoral earnings, aiding and abetting prostitution and money laundering.
Their accomplice Ian Goalen (59) had earlier pled guilty to living off immoral earnings.
All three were arrested following a police surveillance operation that led to a raid on a property in Grosvenor Street, in the Haymarket area of Edinburgh, on September 7th, 2011.
Officers discovered three women working within the address.
A further search was carried out at Margaret Paterson’s home address, which was packed from floor to ceiling with high value goods including designer shoes, handbags, jewellery and electrical items. In addition, over £200,000 in cash was seized from the address.
These goods, along with other significant financial assets, have now been referred to the Crown Office for confiscation under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Detective Superintendent David Gordon, of Police Scotland’s Specialist Crime Division, said: “Margaret Paterson, Ian Goalen and Robert Munro were involved in a criminal conspiracy that saw them make significant profits through the sex trade over a period spanning ten years.
“They enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle through these profits, which were made as a result of controlling a network of girls throughout Scotland. Paterson and Munro managed the criminal business, which was organised, planned and used specialist resources to make significant criminal profits. The serious organised crime aggravator was included in these charges and it acknowledges the nature of the business in which they were involved.
“Police Scotland aims to minimise the impact of prostitution through reducing or eliminating the harm experienced by people working within the sex industry, or those who are exploited for sexual purposes.
“We will aim to disrupt and dismantle organised crime groups engaged in sexual exploitation, identify offenders and bring them to justice, while supporting work to reduce demand through enforcement, education and prevention.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
