Brothel man ordered to pay back £2m

A man who helped run a brothel has been ordered to pay back £2 million under the Proceeds of Crime Act or face seven years in jail.

Carl Pritchett, 56, was originally jailed for two years in 2006 for his part in managing the Cuddles massage parlour in Bearwood, West Midlands.

Pritchett, from Wall Heath, near Kingswinford, was arrested after the brothel was raided in a high-profile police operation in September 2005.

West Midlands Police confirmed today that a judge had now ordered him to pay back £2 million within six months or face returning to prison.

An investigation by West Midlands Police's economic crime unit established that Pritchett laundered profits from the brothel, using it to buy properties overseas.

It was also discovered he had been driving a Ferrari a couple of years prior to his arrest despite having no legitimate income and paying no income tax.

Detective Inspector Andy Bannister, of West Midlands Police, said: "This is a fantastic result at the end of a long and complex investigation by West Midlands Police.

"With this confiscation we have ensured that this man has not profited from exploiting women.

"West Midlands Police are committed to confiscating the assets from those who prey on the most vulnerable in our communities.

"I would hope that others involved in similar enterprises think twice about their actions and consider the consequences."