'Pimp' jailed over illegal prostitution

A Sunshine Coast man has been jailed after he pleaded guilty to a number of charges relating to illegal prostitution.

Stephen Glen Chapman, 49, leaves Maroochydore Court House after being fined $8000 for prostitution-related offences. Picture: Stuart Cumming

A SUNSHINE Coast man has been jailed after he pleaded guilty to a number of charges relating to illegal prostitution.

Stephen Glen Chapman faced four charges including single counts of having an interest in a premises used for the purposes of prostitution, knowingly carrying on the business of providing unlawful prostitution and two counts of knowingly participating in the provision of prostitution.

The offences were committed over various periods between May and October last year.

Chapman, a 52-year-old Mt Coolum man, originally pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Yesterday at Maroochydore Magistrates Court, Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist convicted Chapman and sentenced him to two years' imprisonment, with parole set for September this year.

Four women were also charged with prostitution offences as a result of the investigation.

The outcome comes after an investigation carried by the Sunshine Coast Crime Group regarding unlawful prostitution during 2018, specifically targeting a Sugar Rd, Maroochydore, premises which was being used by Chapman.