Noble Park massage parlour Lucky Massage fails in bid to remove illegal brothel declaration
The manager of a Noble Park massage parlour found to be an illegal brothel has tried to fight the finding in court. Ads for the business stated the parlour employed staff of different nationalities including “Indian girls...leaving you feeling relaxed and satisfied by their magic hands”.
South East
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The owner of the Lucky Massage knocking shop has been knocked back in her bid to overturn its status as an illegal brothel.
There was no happy ending in court for the Noble Park parlour manager after she failed in her application to have the declaration rescinded.
Rashmi Sharma was given a court order in January declaring the Buckley St location as an illegal brothel for 12 months.
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She wasn’t in court that day and the ruling against Lucky Massage was granted in her absence.
Ms Sharma appeared at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Friday after applying to have the decision overturned.
Under the court order while Lucky Massage can continue to operate, it must for 12 months display a notice declaring it a proscribed brothel, and banning illegal activity there — a major deterrent for customers.
A proscription of an illegal brothel means anyone entering the premises for sexual services is liable to be prosecuted.
Magistrate Sharon McRae said if Ms Sharma wanted to proceed properly with her bid she should seek a lawyer’s opinion.“I highly recommend you get legal advice; (you have) made admissions in your application that are enough to support the declaration (of an illegal brothel),” she said.
“You haven’t given me any grounds to rescind it.
“I’m not sure you understand the legal requirements here; at the moment it (your application) is not good enough.”
A now-expired advertisement on online classifieds network Locanto spruiks Lucky Massage spruiked as having “experienced therapists” and “Indian girls working”.
The blurb stated the parlour employed staff of different nationalities that would “pay attention to your need, providing you with the quality service and unforgettable massage you desire, leaving you feeling relaxed and satisfied by their magic hands”.
The parlour is in a row of shops near two schools, a church, a mosque and an aged care centre.
In court, Ms Sharma said she didn’t turn up to court in January because she was confused about the date.
She agreed to get legal support, which she said would be in place by the next hearing date.
Her application was adjourned until May 9.