JUDGE'S 'WOULDN'T COME CLOSE' WARNING TO MAN UNMASKED AS BROTHELS OWNER
A man has confessed to operating two illicit massage parlors in Birmingham, but a judge noted inconsistencies in his account.Zhong Wang was detained in Birmingham’s Gay Village last June, with £4,500 in cash found on his person.
A police search of his Mercedes unveiled condoms, baby oil, promotional leaflets for erotic services, SIM cards, and cell phones.
Authorities also raided his residence at Golden Eagle Gardens in Erdington, uncovering documents related to two businesses.
It was subsequently disclosed that Wang managed brothels at Rainbow Thai Spa on Gravelly Lane, Erdington, and Thai Oriental Spa on Jockey Road in Sutton Coldfield.
The 44-year-old previously admitted to two counts of running a brothel and one of possessing criminal property.
He was scheduled for sentencing at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday, February 17, but Judge Sarah Buckingham raised several concerns.
Initially, Wang provided a 'basis of plea' asserting he did not resort to violence, threats, or psychological manipulation against the women, nor forced them into prostitution.
However, the judge questioned the validity of his statement after noting that the passports of one woman and another woman’s ID documents were found at his home.
She remarked it was improbable that someone would willingly be separated from such identification.
Wang explained he was entrusted with holding these documents for the women, claiming they moved frequently from place to place.
The judge also questioned his assertion that the establishments were initially legitimate massage parlors and that he was not responsible for converting them into brothels.
She scrutinized the evidence presented on his behalf, including a letter authored by Wang himself and character references from his wife and neighbors.
Judge Buckingham observed that all these documents appeared to use the same font and format and lacked signatures.
She expressed skepticism, stating, "I would be rather naive to accept them in that way.
There is nothing to suggest they are genuine." Additionally, the judge requested documented proof that Wang had employment at a Birmingham casino in Genting.
She commented, "I'm sorry to sound cynical.
Maybe it has been assumed it has been accepted but I'm not going to accept anything without evidence." Wang was arrested on June 4 last year while sitting in his Mercedes on Gooch Street North in the Gay Village.
He claimed he withdrew the £4,500 to purchase a car but failed to provide bank withdrawal evidence.
Police confirmed he held leases for both businesses functioning as brothels.
Prosecutor Timothy Sapwell explained, “The women were sleeping and eating at the locations, effectively living there while offering and performing sexual services for cash.” The court was also told that locals had observed frequent activity at the two premises, with one located near a children’s music school.
Defender Piarra Singh acknowledged Wang chose not to testify on some points but stated he relied on the submitted documents in the hope of securing a sentence of two years or less, possibly suspended.
Judge Buckingham postponed the case until March 5 and remarked, "If I were to sentence today, it wouldn’t come close to a suspended sentence."
