Met officer on 'brothel' charges

A Metropolitan police officer and his girlfriend have been charged over an investigation into premises suspected of being used as brothels.

Pc Simon de Freitas is charged with taking money from brothels which his partner, Linda Stanton, allegedly ran.

The 41-year-old officer has been suspended from duty pending the outcome of criminal proceedings.

The pair have been bailed to attend Hendon Magistrates' Court on 5 February.

Data Protection Act

The couple were arrested in August last year following an inquiry by the Metropolitan police's internal affairs unit.

Mr de Freitas was formally charged on Wednesday with living on the earnings of prostitution and aiding and abetting the exercise of control over a prostitute.

He is further charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct and misconduct in a public office.

Mr de Freitas also faces charges of theft relating to police computer printouts, two counts of unauthorized computer access, two charges of unlawfully obtaining personal data under the Data Protection Act and one count of possession of a class C drug.

Ms Stanton, 48, has been charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office, exercising control over a prostitute for gain, being concerned in the management of a brothel, handling stolen goods and possession of a prohibited weapon.