Former PE teacher jailed for running brothel

A former PE teacher was jailed for nine months today after pleading guilty to running a brothel.

Tim Blake-Bowell, 47, who was a teacher at King Ethelbert School in Birchington, near Margate, Kent, admitted a charge of controlling prostitutes for financial gain at a previous hearing at Canterbury Crown Court.

His ex-wife Emma, 37, also pleaded guilty to the charge but was given a nine month suspended sentence today as the judge said she had been susceptible to pressure from her husband due to her vulnerable state of mental health.

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

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.

His wife, who had herself worked as an escort in the city since 2004, was in charge of the day-to-day running of the business. She acted as a receptionist, worked out the girls' rotas, introduced them to clients and also prostituted herself.

Sentencing the pair today, Judge Adele Williams said: "You Timothy Blake-Bowell rented a flat at 21 Henry Court, Gordon Road, in Canterbury.

"From the address, six prostitutes including your wife and co-defendant offered sexual activity for money. You and your wife controlled these prostitutes.

"You placed advertisements in papers and rotas were organised. You and your wife took approximately 40% of their earnings.

"This was organised prostitution which is a criminal offence. I accept that there is no evidence of coercion or corruption and there were no illegal immigrants or underage girls, but you did this for money.

"Your overheads were approximately £2,000 a month and in my judgment you would not have continued with this enterprise unless you were making a profit."