A trio have been jailed after a prostitution network operating from seven massage parlours across England was uncovered in Wiltshire.
Khondakar Hasan, 39, of Morton Walk in Leicester and married couple 55-year-old Liu Xu Hopkins and 56-year-old Benjamin Hopkins, both of High Street, Staple Hill, South Gloucestershire, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to control prostitution for gain on November 21, 2025.
The trio appeared for sentence at Swindon Crown Court on Friday, July 17, where the court heard that the network generated over half a million pounds in profit.
Officers raided China Studio in Chippenham Market Place and China Star Therapy on New Road on Thursday, October 17, 2025, following reports that “sexual services” were being offered at both businesses.
This sparked a wider investigation that saw seven massage parlours in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Reading targeted by police.
Half a dozen people were arrested and seven women were safeguarded during the raids.
The Crown Prosecution Service used telephone and financial records, CCTV footage and surveillance evidence to secure a conviction without the need for trial.
They discovered one woman was brought from China to work at the venues, while other women were recruited through advertisements and travelled from across the UK to work at the premises.
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Each defendant played a vital role in the operation - Hasan managed day-to-day operations and finances and Liu Xu Hopkins sourced and managed workers, coordinating their movement between venues.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Hopkins maintained properties and transported women between locations.
Liu Xu Hopkins was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment.
Benjamin Hopkins and Hasan were both sentenced to 18 months behind bars.
Andrew Eddy, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "This was a deliberate and exploitative operation run for profit, in which women were treated as commodities.
"The defendants exercised control over the women's movements, work and living arrangements, while concealing their criminal activity behind the appearance of legitimate massage businesses.
“The CPS will continue to work closely with law enforcement partners to bring to justice those who seek to exploit others for financial gain.”
Detective Chief inspector Adam Smith from the SWROCU added: “This investigation began thanks to a referral from Wiltshire Police following community concerns about businesses in Chippenham.
“Thanks to that initial intelligence we were able to uncover a network of brothels exploiting women for the financial gain of Mr and Mrs Hopkins and Mr Hasan.
“The next stage of our investigation is to determine what assets the trio have derived from crime and deprive them of these. We'll also apply for serious crime prevention orders to prevent them from being able to run or open any similar businesses in the future.”
