A WOMAN who ran a brothel in Carlisle where at least eight women acted as sex workers has been spared an immediate jail sentence. 

Ana Stefan, 30, admitted managing the Greystone Road brothel over a period of 21 months. She pleaded guilty to the offending on the basis that the two women found working in the flat by police were not coerced.

The defendant, who told officials she worked as a delivery driver, said the two sex workers involved were friends from her native Romania and they had "significant control" over the work they did and which clients they had sex with.

Stefan admitted arranging or facilitating travel of two other women from Romania for the purpose of prostitution and controlling prostitution for gain.

Prosecutor Andrew Evans outlined the facts, telling Carlisle Crown Court that Stefan - who handled advertising the women's services on various websites and taking payment from clients - generated an income of some £145,000 from the women's work.

Half that sum was passed on to other bank accounts held by people with Romanian sounding names, said Mr Evans. The women working as 'prostitutes' kept half of the money they were paid.

Though only two women were found at the Greystone Road property when police  raided it, telephone evidence showed that at least eight had worked there, said Mr Evans.

Defence lawyer Andrew Gurney said the defendant had herself previously been exploited by people involved in the same area of crime, but she claimed she had no idea how serious such offending was considered.

Judge Nicholas Barker pointed out that prostitution is an activity where those involved - typically vulnerable young females -  are at a "significant risk of exploitation. But he accepted that Stefan has shown genuine remorse.

"There was no trickery or intimidation involved," noted the judge. He imposed a 24 month jail term but suspended the sentence for two years. Stefan must complete 30 days of rehabilitation.

There will be a proceeds of crime hearing at a later date, with an initial hearing in August. 

This will seek to claw back abt illegal profits made by the defendant, whose address was given as Woodruffe Terrace, Carlisle. 

The defendant, who wept as the case was being outlined in court, has no previous convictions recorded against her. A more detailed report of this case will appear in tomorrow's News & Star.