Court shuts down Bentleigh East illegal brothel after police operation codenamed 'Twerk'

A COURT this morning shut down a Bentleigh East illegal brothel after a police investigation codenamed "Operation Twerk''.

A COURT this morning shut down a Bentleigh East illegal brothel after a police investigation codenamed "Operation Twerk''.

The Moorabbin Magistrates' Court heard this morning a Scanlan St massage parlour was being used to provide sexual services.

Caulfield Tasking Unit Sgt Richard Lewis told the court officers investigated the business after two anonymous phone tip-offs to Crime Stoppers made in August.

Sgt Lewis said police covertly watched the premises on two occasions, and asked males leaving for statements.

He said several men told police they were offered sexual services, which on one occasion was accepted.

Sgt Lewis said at a raid carried out in October he was offered a "sexy massage'' by a scantily-clad greeter and a search revealed naked pictures of women on walls, condoms and a business phone which contained a series of implied text messages.

He said two women who worked there admitted to police they had performed sexual services.

He said an internet search also showed services that were not conducive to general massage were being offered at the premises.

Magistrate Sharon Cure said it was an unusual case, and although she was used to hearing prostitution matters throughout the 1990s, this was the first she had encountered for a while.

She said the statements, search evidence, suggestive advertising and the text messages meant on the balance of probabilities the premises were being used for providing sexual services.

A sign will be attached to the premises and notices printed in local and daily newspapers stating no-one is allowed onto the site without a lawful purpose.

Sgt Lewis said the massage parlour owner, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is likely to be charged with criminal offences related to prostitution.

To "twerk'' is a slang term for a sexually provocative dance, which gained notoriety during a recent performance by entertainer Miley Cyrus.