Barry Champion and Ailing Zhuang claim they made little profit from Cheltenham brothels

CLAIMS a couple made little profit from four brothels they ran in Cheltenham will come under scrutiny at a trial.

Barry Champion, 33, and his wife Ailing Zhuang, 41, of Berkeley Street, Cheltenham, have admitted operating brothels at four addresses in the town.

The prosecution has refused to accept the basis of their guilty pleas to the four charges.

Zhuang has claimed 70 per cent of the money went to the prostitutes themselves and Champion said he played only a minor role.

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But Sarah Regan, prosecuting, told Gloucester Crown Court yesterday the claims were not being accepted. As a result, there would have to be a Newton Hearing or trial of issue for the court to determine the extent of their involvement and the money they made.

Judge Jamie Tabor QC remanded the couple in custody pending a trial of issue on March 4.

The couple have both pleaded guilty to being involved in the management of brothels in Prestbury Road, Suffolk Place, Hewlett Road, and Pittville Lawn. They pleaded not guilty to a similar charge relating to an address in Leckhampton Place.

The charges they have admitted span the period from June 2009 to September 2012.