Gold Coast Crime: Ashmore shop where illegal brothel allegedly operated allowed to be rented out
In a historic decision, a massage parlour which allegedly acted as an illegal brothel will now be allowed to be rented out.
Crime and Court
Don't miss out on the headlines from Crime and Court. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A MASSAGE parlour shut down for allegedly acting as an illegal brothel will be allowed to be rented out.
But the Ashmore shop, which previously housed Body Back and Feet Massage, will not be allowed to be the premises for a massage parlour or an illegal brothel.
Magistrate Andrew Sinclair this morning rescinded the temporary declaration as an illegal brothel placed over the Dominions Rd shop.
The temporary declaration as an illegal brothel means a notice must be placed on the door, the owner cannot enter and the premises must only be used for legal purposes.
It is the first time in Queensland a temporary declaration as an illegal brother has been removed.
The order was made in November last year after undercover police were offered sexual services and police raids found the massage parlour covered with body fluid stains and uncovered explicit text messages.
Owner Chye Cheah applied to have the temporary declaration as an illegal brothel removed.
She said in court documents the temporary declaration was making it difficult to rent the premises out.
The massage parlour premises have since been gutted.
Police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Graham Ruhle told the court he did not oppose the application so long as it contained conditions Cheah not permit the shop to be used as a massage parlour or illegal brothel.
Magistrate Sinclair granted those conditions.
Outside court Sen Sgt Ruhle said: “We are keen for a legitimate business to occupy that premises because that is good for the community.
“Empty stores are no benefit to anybody.”
Cheah’s lawyer Michael Gatenby, of Gatenby Criminal Lawyers, said outside court it was clear the premises was not being used as an illegal brothel.
The premises still may be declared as a brothel with a hearing to determine if a permanent declaration to be held on March 7.
“We maintain we will fight a permanent making of the order,” he said.
Mr Gatenby said he hoped police were “sensible” and withdrew the permanent declaration application.
Vicious public assault ‘could not be stopped’
A man who "couldn't be stopped" when he grabbed his partner by the hair and dragged her 100m through a Gold Coast shopping centre car park has now faced court over two dozen charges.
‘I’m not going to promise you anything’
A mother facing a string of drug offences was perhaps too honest with a magistrate yesterday after she initially couldn’t guarantee being on her best behaviour.