Ex-teacher who ran brothel jailed

Tim Blake-Bowell was responsible for paying the prostitutes

A former PE teacher has been jailed for nine months after pleading guilty to running a brothel from his Kent home.

Tim Blake-Bowell, 47, of Querns Road, Canterbury, had earlier pleaded guilty to a charge of controlling prostitutes for financial gain.

Blake-Bowell used to teach at King Ethelbert School, in Birchington.

His ex-wife Emma Blake-Bowell, 37, also admitted the charge at Canterbury Crown Court and received a nine month term suspended for two years.

'Discreet services'

They were accused of operating the brothel from their home between 31 October and 14 December 2007.

During questioning, Tim Blake-Bowell claimed he had started the brothel in June 2006 in order to give his wife some financial independence and so she could work in a safe, controlled environment.

He said she had had bad experiences in the sex industry in the past.

The couple also said they had set up the brothel as a co-operative for women working individually and denied making a profit themselves.

The court heard that Tim Blake-Bowell was responsible for the financial side of the operation, paying the six women they employed and taking care of bills and rent.

Emma Blake-Bowell was in charge of the day-to-day running of the brothel

His wife was in charge of the day-to-day running of the business.

The couple, both of whom sold themselves for sex, spent £1,400 a month on adverts in local newspapers under the name "Pandora's" or "Jem's", offering "discreet personal services".

Judge Adele Williams said Emma Blake-Bowell had been susceptible to pressure from her husband due to her vulnerable state of mental health.

She said pre-sentencing assessments on the defendant had found that she suffered from clinical depression and chronic post-traumatic stress disorder due to her difficult background.

The judge told her she must also carry out a two-year supervision order in which she must seek treatment, as well as a three-month curfew order.

The couple, who have two young children, split up after their arrest in December 2007.