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Ex-teacher who ran brothel jailed Ex-teacher who ran brothel jailed
(about 11 hours later)
A former PE teacher has been jailed for nine months after pleading guilty to running a brothel from his Kent home.A former PE teacher has been jailed for nine months after pleading guilty to running a brothel from his Kent home.
Tim Blake-Bowell, 47, of Querns Road, Canterbury, had earlier pleaded guilty to a charge of controlling prostitutes for financial gain.Tim Blake-Bowell, 47, of Querns Road, Canterbury, had earlier pleaded guilty to a charge of controlling prostitutes for financial gain.
Blake-Bowell used to teach at King Ethelbert School, in Birchington.Blake-Bowell used to teach at King Ethelbert School, in Birchington.
His ex-wife Emma Blake-Bowell, 37, also admitted the charge at Canterbury Crown Court and received a nine month term suspended for two years.His ex-wife Emma Blake-Bowell, 37, also admitted the charge at Canterbury Crown Court and received a nine month term suspended for two years.
'Discreet services''Discreet services'
They were accused of operating the brothel from their home between 31 October and 14 December 2007.They were accused of operating the brothel from their home between 31 October and 14 December 2007.
During questioning, Tim Blake-Bowell claimed he had started the brothel in June 2006 in order to give his wife some financial independence and so she could work in a safe, controlled environment.During questioning, Tim Blake-Bowell claimed he had started the brothel in June 2006 in order to give his wife some financial independence and so she could work in a safe, controlled environment.
He said she had had bad experiences in the sex industry in the past.He said she had had bad experiences in the sex industry in the past.
The couple also said they had set up the brothel as a co-operative for women working individually and denied making a profit themselves.The couple also said they had set up the brothel as a co-operative for women working individually and denied making a profit themselves.
The court heard that Tim Blake-Bowell was responsible for the financial side of the operation, paying the six women they employed and taking care of bills and rent.The court heard that Tim Blake-Bowell was responsible for the financial side of the operation, paying the six women they employed and taking care of bills and rent.
Emma Blake-Bowell was in charge of the day-to-day running of the brothelEmma Blake-Bowell was in charge of the day-to-day running of the brothel
His wife was in charge of the day-to-day running of the business.His wife was in charge of the day-to-day running of the business.
The couple, both of whom sold themselves for sex, spent £1,400 a month on adverts in local newspapers under the name "Pandora's" or "Jem's", offering "discreet personal services".The couple, both of whom sold themselves for sex, spent £1,400 a month on adverts in local newspapers under the name "Pandora's" or "Jem's", offering "discreet personal services".
Judge Adele Williams said Emma Blake-Bowell had been susceptible to pressure from her husband due to her vulnerable state of mental health.Judge Adele Williams said Emma Blake-Bowell had been susceptible to pressure from her husband due to her vulnerable state of mental health.
She said pre-sentencing assessments on the defendant had found that she suffered from clinical depression and chronic post-traumatic stress disorder due to her difficult background.She said pre-sentencing assessments on the defendant had found that she suffered from clinical depression and chronic post-traumatic stress disorder due to her difficult background.
The judge told her she must also carry out a two-year supervision order in which she must seek treatment, as well as a three-month curfew order.The judge told her she must also carry out a two-year supervision order in which she must seek treatment, as well as a three-month curfew order.
The couple, who have two young children, split up after their arrest in December 2007.The couple, who have two young children, split up after their arrest in December 2007.
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