A HUSBAND and wife have been ordered to complete 150 hours community service and given 24 week suspended sentences for running brothels.

Mark Newbold, 52, and wife Suwadee, 43, from Hollins Walk, West Reading, were sentenced at Reading Crown Court today (Friday), having admitted two counts of controlling prostitution for financial gain at a hearing in November last year.

The couple were arrested following raids on houses in Reading and Northampton by UK Border Agency officers investigating allegations that women were being controlled by them and moved around the country as prostitutes.

During the raids, three women, from Thailand, Lithuania and Brazil, were taken into care.

John Donachy, from the UK Border agency, said: "The Newbolds clearly exploited the women who worked in their premises for substantial personal financial gain.

"Some of these women had been moved around the UK specifically to work in the sex industry. A financial investigation is also underway to ensure they don't profit from their crimes."