Crawley brothel madam spared prison sentence
Beverly Bondon, 55, admitted running two brothels from 2004-2008 and making £25 for every client - meaning prostitutes working for her performed at least 17,200 sexual acts.
In 2007, a News investigation revealed a brothel called Blue Velvet was operating in Dobson Road, Langley Green.
Bondon, of Furnace Parade, Furnace Green, ran this and another in Horsham called Fallen Angels.
Lewes Crown Court heard Bondon lived in a council home while raking in more than £70,000 a year tax free.
Walton Hornsby, prosecuting, said: "She would be paid £25 for each customer whatever the customer gave to each prostitute.
"The premises were raided by the police with a view to underage girls or illegal immigrants being there."
But Mr Hornsby accepted the women working for Bondon were not being forced and had all worked as prostitutes before.
He added: "It turned out all of them were adults and were under no compulsion to be there.
"The type of sexual activity was fairly straightforward. There was nothing unusual."
Steven Hadley, mitigating, said Bondon thought her business was legal.
He said: "She had been very much under the impression that one girl doesn't make a brothel.
"Of course, ignorance of the law isn't an excuse."
Bondon claimed only one woman worked at a time in her houses but more than one woman, even working at different times, makes an illegal brothel.
Speaking at last Thursday's hearing, Judge Charles Kemp said Bondon was previously of good character and had never been in court before.
He said: "You have lost that good character in spectacular form.
"The fact is you were running these businesses, making a living from them while you and your partner lived in council rented accommodation."
Bondon was ordered to repay £430,560 although she did not have the full amount.
The police earlier seized £93,868 from her and the judge ordered this be handed to the treasury.
Bondon was handed a two year prison sentence, suspended for two years.
She was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.
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