THE owner of a North-East brothel is facing jail after admitting living off the earnings of prostitution.
John Middleton, 60, confessed to running a brothel at the Pleasure Zone sex shop, Northgate, Darlington and at a caravan on the A1 near Bedale, North Yorkshire.
Married Middleton, of North Stainmore, Kirby Stephen, Cumbria appeared at Teesside Crown Court today and pleaded guilty to two counts of living off the earnings of prostitution.
He stands to lose nearly £1 million after his assets were frozen in an application under the 1988 Criminal Justices Act.
The shop's receptionist, Catherine MacLeod, 63, of Wesley Court, Darlington pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting him.
The court heard Middleton, who had up to a dozen prostitutes working for him, was caught following an undercover operation by police. The case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports.
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