A 'MADAME' who helped run a seedy Cheltenham brothel staffed by illegal immigrant prostitutes was jailed yesterday.

King Hook Yap, 53, ran Eastern Massage and Oriental Massage at St George's Place in Cheltenham, between November 2006 and March 2007.

The enterprise was discovered after a police raid under Operation Pentameter - a major nationwide campaign against human trafficking for sexual exploitation.

She pleaded guilty to being involved in managing the brothel and also admitted transferring criminal money into a bank account.

At Gloucester Crown Court, Yap, was told by Judge Mark Horton: "This was a successful and organised operation run as a brothel using illegal immigrants for financial gain.

"Being concerned in an operation that is solely based on the degradation, abuse and exploitation of vulnerable people acting as prostitutes is not acceptable in any civilised society."

Christopher Wild, 64, of Hempsted, Gloucester, pleaded guilty to assisting in the management of a brothel by acting as guarantor for the premises was described by the judge as a "complete fool" for getting involved in the operation and sentenced him to two months in prison suspended for two years.

Mr Wild was also given a three month curfew between 9am and 5pm.

Virginia Cornwall, prosecuting, told the court that police had obtained a search warrant after a neighbour complained about a large number of men attending the premises for sessions lasting around 30 minutes.

"The complainant said he had seen four Chinese women at the premises and seen a couple of younger Chinese women escorted to the premises with some reluctance," she said.

Yap and two Chinese women in the 40s were arrested for prostitution and evidence was found that the brothel was used by prostitutes travelling around the country.

She told the court that Wild had been the guarantor of the premises and that the £650 rent was paid from his account after he was given cash by Yap.

Mrs Cornwall added that Yap had taken adverts out in local papers amounting to £3,000.

She said Wild admitted that he knew the premises was being used for sexual activities and had visited on several occasions but not benefited physically or financially.

In interview Yap said she only answered the phone but was aware that the girls did offer sexual services.

Yap said she would wire the takings to her "boss" in China and took home between £150-200 herself a week.

Miss Cornwall said that both defendants were of previous good character.

David Maunder, defending Yap, said his client had come to this country in December 2004 and now had a British overseas passport.

He said she could not be deported because there was no country in which she was entitled to go.

He said she was the face of the brothel and was aware what was going on but made little benefit from the illegal enterprise.

"I do not say that she has gone in eyes closed but she undoubtedly has been taken advantage of," Mr Maunder said.

Chris Smythe, defending Wild, said his client, who owns six properties, had "minimal involvement" and had acted as guarantor as a "charitable act" to Yap who he had previously admitted having a sexual relationship with.

"He was asked to be guarantor and had no intent to embark on a illegal venture," he said.

After the case DC Debra James of Gloucestershire police said: "We will not tolerate crime of this nature. We hope that this and subsequent cases send a strong message that we will bring offenders to justice."