Sydney Rd, Coburg massage parlour cleared of brothel charges, free to continue trading
A MASSAGE parlour in Melbourne’s north, which was previously declared as an illegal brothel, has had the decision overturned.
North West
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A COBURG massage parlour, which was forced to display a notice declaring it an illegal brothel, has had the allegation overturned.
SabaiMassage on Sydney Rd was declared an illegal brothel on May 4 by Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court following an earlier police raid.
At the time, the business owner’s husband Les Smith rubbished the decision, claiming it was the result of “vendettas” from rival parlours or disgruntled customers.
COBURG MASSAGE PARLOUR DECLARED ILLEGAL BROTHEL
The business had to display a notice in its front window for three months declaring it an offence for any person to be found on site engaging in illegal activity, with a maximum penalty of 12 months in prison.
A hearing on July 27 at the same court rescinded the motion, before the August 4 deadline, and the notice was promptly removed from the window.
Mr Smith said the notice had “really rocked” the business.
“The real problem has been the crowd it has brought in who think we provide those kind of services … the amount of people that went by and pointed at the notice has been horrible,” he said.
Fawkner police Sergeant Kylie Snart said the massage parlour was now free to trade as usual, unless evidence of wrong doing was found by police.
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