Attack on illegal brothel

Window broken as owner seeks to lease building

AN alleged illegal brothel had a window smashed just weeks after police shut the massage parlour down, court documents have revealed.

Body Back and Feet Massage in Ashmore was temporarily declared an illegal brothel late last year after police raids found evidence of prostitution at the site.

It has been alleged undercover officers were offered sexual services, found “extremely dirty towels”, numerous stains and explicit text messages during the raid.

The latest court documents have revealed a window was smashed at the Dominions Rd, Ashmore business.

The shop owner Chye Jean Cheah, 37, said in court documents she had reported the matter to police.

Cheah also said in court documents the premises had been completely stripped of any fixtures and signage since being temporarily declared an illegal brothel.

“I am advised that the premises sitting empty makes it more vulnerable to damage and graffiti-like offences,” she said in court documents.

She now wants to lease the shop site out.

“On Tuesday, 17 December 2019, I received a letter from an agent, advising me that the prospective tenant noticed the ‘temporary declaration of a prohibited brothel’ notice,” she wrote.

“The tenant lost immediate interest in the premises.”

The temporary declaration means a notice must be placed on the door, as owner Cheah can only enter the premises with a court order and people may only attend the premises to conduct lawful business.

Cheah is fighting to have the temporary declaration removed so the premises can be leased out.

The matter was adjourned on Friday and will return to court this Thursday.

“I do not wish to conduct any business from the premises,” Cheah said in court documents.

“I undertake not to carry out any massage services at the premises. I undertake not to permit any other person to carry out a massage service at the premises.”

The massage parlour is one of four to be shut down by police in recent weeks for allegedly acting as illegal brothels.

A decision whether the temporary illegal brothel declaration will remain is place is expected to be made on Thursday.