This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8075178.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 'Prostitution officer' on remand | 'Prostitution officer' on remand |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A former police officer and a Chinese woman have been remanded in custody charged with human trafficking and controlling prostitution. | A former police officer and a Chinese woman have been remanded in custody charged with human trafficking and controlling prostitution. |
| Simon Dempsey, 39, and Chen Rong, 32, appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court on Saturday. | Simon Dempsey, 39, and Chen Rong, 32, appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court on Saturday. |
| They are from East Street, Newtownards, and Crestwood Avenue in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, respectively. | |
| Both are alleged to have facilitated the UK arrival of people, knowing a sexual offence would be committed. | Both are alleged to have facilitated the UK arrival of people, knowing a sexual offence would be committed. |
| A detective sergeant told the court he believed he could connect both the accused to the charges. | A detective sergeant told the court he believed he could connect both the accused to the charges. |
| The charges followed a PSNI-led, UK-wide investigation into a Chinese prostitute ring, resulting in numerous raids in Londonderry and Belfast on Thursday during which six prostitutes, all believed to be Chinese women, were rescued. | The charges followed a PSNI-led, UK-wide investigation into a Chinese prostitute ring, resulting in numerous raids in Londonderry and Belfast on Thursday during which six prostitutes, all believed to be Chinese women, were rescued. |
| 'Violence' | 'Violence' |
| The detective sergeant told the court that Ms Rong pretended to be a woman called 'Helen' and when the women arrived in Northern Ireland, she "revealed her true intention and told them they would be involved in prostitution" before allegedly threatening them with violence. | The detective sergeant told the court that Ms Rong pretended to be a woman called 'Helen' and when the women arrived in Northern Ireland, she "revealed her true intention and told them they would be involved in prostitution" before allegedly threatening them with violence. |
| He claimed Ms Rong was "the controller", while Mr Dempsey was akin to an enforcer, telling the court the women's "compliance and involvement in prostitution was gained through the fear instilled in them" by the former PSNI officer. | He claimed Ms Rong was "the controller", while Mr Dempsey was akin to an enforcer, telling the court the women's "compliance and involvement in prostitution was gained through the fear instilled in them" by the former PSNI officer. |
| In objecting to either of the pair being released on bail, the detective sergeant said he feared both Ms Rong and Mr Dempsey would interfere with "identified and as yet unidentified victims" and also that they would flee the country. | In objecting to either of the pair being released on bail, the detective sergeant said he feared both Ms Rong and Mr Dempsey would interfere with "identified and as yet unidentified victims" and also that they would flee the country. |
| 'Duped' | 'Duped' |
| In applying for bail, lawyers for the pair each blamed the other for their involvment. | In applying for bail, lawyers for the pair each blamed the other for their involvment. |
| Ms Rong's solicitor claimed she herself had been a prostitute before being "used by sinister people" while Mr Dempsey's lawyer claimed Ms Rong had "duped" him and that in fact, he knew nothing about the women being used as prostitutes. | Ms Rong's solicitor claimed she herself had been a prostitute before being "used by sinister people" while Mr Dempsey's lawyer claimed Ms Rong had "duped" him and that in fact, he knew nothing about the women being used as prostitutes. |
| Bail applications for both were refused and they were remanded into custody to appear in court again via videolink on 26 June. | Bail applications for both were refused and they were remanded into custody to appear in court again via videolink on 26 June. |