St Albans property proscribed as illegal brothel amid COVID-19 lockdown breach fears
The police sex industry unit has scrambled to have a notorious St Albans sex den declared an illegal brothel with investigators having “no doubt men were still turning up” and breaching COVID-19 lockdown laws.
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An illegal St Albans sex den has been declared a proscribed brothel amid fears clients seeking sexual services were still breaching lockdown laws.
The occupant of the Alfrieda St property, Yueya Hartwick, was issued the order in the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
Now anyone caught inside the home — slap bang in the middle of a quiet residential street — could face a hefty fine or even a jail sentence and a lockdown infringement.
The Victoria Police Sex Industry Co-Ordination Unit went in on the prowl after police and Brimbank Council received multiple complaints in April this year.
The unit kicked off it’s investigation at the “target address” in July, the court was told.
Investigators scoped the property out and intercepted 14 “customers” who were issued fines for breaching COVID-19 lockdown laws.
Some of the customers told police they had been offered a “sexual service” after attending the property for a “massage”.
Police spotted multiple cameras set up at the front of the property and on the doorway when they approached the home.
A “female of Asian appearance” — later identified as Ms Hartwick — opened the door and told police she rented the property.
Ms Hartwick told investigators she was the sole occupant, denied any sexual services had been offered and blocked police entry to the home.
Police served Ms Hartwick an infringement for breaching lockdown laws then left.
Investigators later attempted to contact Ms Hartwick on the phone number she provided but instead got her husband Derek Hartwick.
Mr Hartwick told police he lived with his wife at a property in Seabrook.
Police returned on August 13 to conduct “static observations” at the illegal brothel.
Officers spoke to two men who were spotted leaving the home.
One man admitted he was offered a sexual service and both men were issued lockdown infringements.
Police raided the brothel later that evening after securing a search warrant.
Officers barged in on a man while he was receiving a massage.
The man told police he booked the service via saucy online classifieds site ‘Locanto’.
He and another woman at the property were issued infringements.
Investigations uncovered Ms Hartwick was the occupant of the Alfrieda St property.
Evidence including an image of the Locanto ad and statements from customers were tendered to the court.
The court was told the property may be abandoned after the keys were mysteriously returned.
The tenants were also behind on the rent.
However, a Sex Industry Co-Ordination Unit senior-constable Melanie Williams told Magistrate Jennifer Grubissa the property “could possibly be still in use”.
“There’s nothing to suggest it’s not tenanted at the moment,” she said.
“(Due to the traffic at the property) we have no doubt men are still turning up.”
Senior-Constable Williams said customers were now referred to the business via “word of mouth” and breaching lockdown laws to attend the property.
Ms Hartwick did not attend the hearing, nor did any legal representation on her behalf.
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