Dominatrix brothel owner walks free from court

A DOMINATRIX who ran two brothels has escaped a jail sentence.

Sharon Loftus, 44, employed prostitutes from all over the UK and took half of their £120-per-hour earnings.

She also deposited £170,000 in cash into her bank account in just six years.

At Newcastle Crown Court Loftus, of Wallsend, pleaded guilty to keeping the brothels.

Mr Recorder Stephen Winn sentenced Loftus to nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months.

The judge said her guilty plea, devotion to her children and the fact none of the workers were forced into prostitution meant the prison sentence could be suspended.

Loftus had initially denied one brothel in Heaton, Newcastle, which was discovered last November, was used to sell sex.

Prosecutor Michael Bunch told the court: “She accepted she was the tenant and said she provided dominatrix services from there but did not involve sexual contact with the clients and as such did not think she was gulilty.”

Prosecutors have now launched an investigation under the Proceeds of Crime Act to get back some of the criminal cash she earned.