Ian Barnett, 59, had tried to claim the proceeds of crime hearing at Manchester Crown Court should not go ahead because he had been a victim of an abuse of judicial process. And he only left the dock after asking if he could have back items from a list of confiscated property - which included pornographic DVDs, Viagra and other sex aides taken from his home.
But Judge David Hernandez ordered the cash be confiscated after telling him: "I'm satisfied there was no abuse of the process. He was charged following a report a year-old woman from Lithuania had been forced to work in the Shudehill brothel after being trafficked to Britain by an Albanian gang. Mr Barnett was jailed for three years and eight months in after he admitted keeping a string of brothels, controlling prostitution and conspiracy to control brothels.
He had previously been given a suspended prison sentence of eight months for living off immoral earnings. It was claimed he had maintained an interest in the business, despite passing ownership to others including brothel manager Carole Duncan.
Mrs Barnett was given a suspended prison sentence in for money laundering in connection with her husband's racket. Duncan, 53, of Harding Street, Ardwick, worked as brothel manager and was also given a suspended sentence for keeping a brothel used for prostitution and conspiracy to keep, manage, act or assist in the management of a brothel used for prostitution. Mr Barnett told the court he was not seeking the return of all the items from the list of confiscated property, but wanted his mobile phones and some deactivated weapons.
Det Insp Michael Fraser, who led the investigation, said after the hearing: "Ian Barnett's sole motivation was greed and making money with no concern whatsoever for the plight and welfare of girls who are trafficked into the country.
