Jianzhen Li pleads guilty to receiving money paid in a brothel over South Plympton home

The owner of a quiet suburban home turned brothel has been sentenced after police found bedrooms full of condoms, lubricants, sex workers … and a client.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWIRE Photos SEPTEMBER 4, 2023: Jianzhen Li outside Adelaide Magistrates Court. Jianzhen Li is charged with money paid in a brothel. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE / Emma Brasier

The owner of a South Plympton home uncovered as a brothel has pleaded guilty despite claiming an ad for the property was not hers.

Jianzhen Li appeared in the Adelaide Magistrate Court on Monday, pleading guilty to receiving money paid in a brothel.

The court heard police had received intel about the property after an ad had been placed advertising the premises.

The police prosecutor told the court, police made an appointment in a “covert operation”.

The court heard a brothel operated at this South Plympton house in December 2022.

“Upon arrival, Ms Li opened the door and offered a massage followed by sex in exchange for $130,” said the police prosecutor.

“The money was exchanged before the property was searched.”

At an earlier court hearing, police found a large amount of condoms, wipes, lotion and lubricants in numerous bedrooms as well as a male at the address who made admission to attending for sexual services.

The court also heard the police had attended the address a year prior and gave a warning to cease operation.

In regards to her personal circumstances, Li told the court – through an interpreter – that although she was the owner of the home, the ad placed did not belong to her.

“The property had been rented to some people and this miss (sex worker), but the advertisement was not hers,” the interpreter told the court.

“Police rang the two numbers on the ad, none of which were connected to her (Li’s) phone.

“But because I (Li) took the money means I am guilty.”

Due to Li’s previous lack of history, police prosecution were not opposed to a lesser penalty.

Magistrate Kate White placed Li on a six-month good-behaviour bond.

A conviction was not recorded.