Allowing Premises to be Used for Prostitution

Allowing Premises to be Used for Prostitution is an offence under Section 17 of the Summary Offences Act 1988 which carries a maximum penalty of 12 months in prison.

To establish the offence, the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that:

1. You owned, occupied, managed or assisted in managing a massage parlour, sauna, steam bath, exercise facility, or premises used for taking photographs, and
2. You knowingly suffered or permitted the premises to be used for prostitution or the soliciting of prostitution

You are not guilty if you are able to satisfy the court, ‘on the balance of probabilities’, that you had lawful authority to engage in the conduct.

Duress is also a defence to the charge.