THE owner of premises at Hoylake used as a sauna became aware 'things were going on' and 'shut his eyes to the obvious', defence solicitor Christopher Murphy told Wirral magistrates.

Prosecutor Trevor Gordon said policemen who posed as customers at Norwegian Wood in Market Street, Hoylake, were offered sexual favours.

Raymond Brookfield, aged 63, living above the premises in The Row, admitted letting the Norwegian Wood in the knowledge it would be used as a brothel. A second allegation of managing or assisting in the management of a brothel was not pursued by the prosecution.

Mr Gordon said observations were kept after complaints were received over goings on at the sauna. Brookfield was the owner and a woman known as Tiffany was manager.

One officer posed as a client and paid £20 for a sauna. He was confronted by a naked woman who asked him if he was ready for a massage. Another naked woman appeared and the officer was given details of services available.

In a later raid 12 people were present: six of them were naked females and the other six semi-dressed males. Brookfield's flat above was visited and £1,700 recovered, including some under a mat.

Brookfield denied the business was his but said he paid the bills. He had nothing to do with the girls. He said he did not know sexual favours were advanced and denied getting £40 a day from the girls.

Mr Murphy said that Brookfield ran Norwegian Wood successfully for ten years before giving up. He tried unsuccessfully to sell the premises and three times let them but picked up the debts totalling £3,400.

Three-and-a-half years ago Tiffany took over the tenancy. She ran the business but he paid the bills to safeguard himself. He did not accept money from anyone except Tiffany.

The premises are again being run as a sauna, said Mr Murphy. Magistrates granted Brookfield a two-year conditional discharge and he had to pay £50 costs.

Tiffany is still to face the court charged in connection with an alleged brothel. She has pleaded not guilty.

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