i News: Elderly cleaner who tried to save a man’s life convicted of brothel-keeping
The “vulnerable” pensioner insists she has nothing to do with the running of the massage parlour where she worked as a cleaner.
Rachel Roberts
The conviction of an elderly cleaner for brothel-keeping after she tried to save the life of a customer has been condemned as a “terrible injustice”. The “vulnerable” 70-year-old, identified only as Ms C Norman, called 999 and attempted CPR on the man after he collapsed at Bunnies’ Ranch in Poole, Dorset in May last year.
Despite her efforts, the man later died. Police took the decision to charge Ms Norman despite her insistence she did not hold the keys and had nothing to do with the running of the premises, which continues to operate.
Cari Mitchell from the English Collective of Prostitutes, who supported Ms Norman through the trial, condemned both the police and the Crown Prosecution Service for bringing the case.
‘Terrible injustice’
“It is a terrible injustice that a woman who performed a civic duty by trying to save another human being’s life should find herself with a criminal record for her efforts. “Shame on the police, the CPS and the Judge.”
If they had any morals or were in anyway concerned for women’s safety, this prosecution would never have been brought or Ms Norman would have been found not guilty. How was prosecuting Ms Norman in the public interest?”
Ms Norman was too upset to comment but the ECP said she was “very distressed” after she received a conditional discharge from Poole Magistrates’ Court yesterday. She was convicted of assisting in the management of the brothel because she had helped post a single advert and had recorded the details of some of the clients, the ECP said.
The ECP warned the case could deter sex workers from reporting rape and other violent attacks to the police for fear they would be prosecuted for soliciting.
Bunnies’ Ranch declined to comment while Dorset Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the i.
Read more at: https://inews.co.uk/essentials/news/uk/elderly-cleaner-tried-save-mans-life-convicted-brothel-keeping/