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First self-confessed pimp jailed Self-confessed flats pimp jailed
(about 7 hours later)
A Carrickfergus man who admitted being a pimp has been jailed for four months, in Northern Ireland's first such case. A Carrickfergus man who admitted being a pimp has been jailed for four months by a Belfast court.
Michael Hill, 39, of Plantation Avenue, was convicted of the offence of controlling prostitutes for gain.Michael Hill, 39, of Plantation Avenue, was convicted of the offence of controlling prostitutes for gain.
Belfast Crown Court heard Hill began hiring out limos for stag parties but ended up managing prostitutes from two city centre apartments. Belfast Crown Court heard Hill began hiring out limos for stag parties, but ended up managing prostitutes from two city centre apartments.
A prosecution lawyer said women had been flown in from overseas on "shift patterns for a number of weeks".A prosecution lawyer said women had been flown in from overseas on "shift patterns for a number of weeks".
The prosecutor said Hill "was partly responsible" for leasing one apartment and had been guarantor for a second flat using fake identification.The prosecutor said Hill "was partly responsible" for leasing one apartment and had been guarantor for a second flat using fake identification.
Had you come to this court by another route I believe the sentence would have been up to seven years Judge Kennedy He said that in police interviews, Hill accepted he collected the women from the airport and acted as their bodyguard while they worked as prostitutes.Had you come to this court by another route I believe the sentence would have been up to seven years Judge Kennedy He said that in police interviews, Hill accepted he collected the women from the airport and acted as their bodyguard while they worked as prostitutes.
He said that Hill was involved in "checking out the opposition", sending letters to neighbours when other brothels were uncovered, "alerting them" to what was going on in their area.He said that Hill was involved in "checking out the opposition", sending letters to neighbours when other brothels were uncovered, "alerting them" to what was going on in their area.
A defence lawyer said there was no question of any "paramilitary or gangland involvement" in the operation, nor was there any suggestion of "underage sex or people trafficking".A defence lawyer said there was no question of any "paramilitary or gangland involvement" in the operation, nor was there any suggestion of "underage sex or people trafficking".
He added that Hill was a "reasonably successful businessman" involved in the hire of limousines for weddings and stag parties.He added that Hill was a "reasonably successful businessman" involved in the hire of limousines for weddings and stag parties.
He said Hill's role in the operation was "perhaps as a small cog within a larger wheel".He said Hill's role in the operation was "perhaps as a small cog within a larger wheel".
Hill had earlier pleaded guilty at Belfast Magistrates' Court, where the maximum sentence is six months.Hill had earlier pleaded guilty at Belfast Magistrates' Court, where the maximum sentence is six months.
Sentencing Hill, Judge Kennedy said this "limited" her "powers of sentence".Sentencing Hill, Judge Kennedy said this "limited" her "powers of sentence".
"Had you come to this court by another route I believe the sentence would have been up to seven years," she said."Had you come to this court by another route I believe the sentence would have been up to seven years," she said.
"I consider that this is a very serious offence which merits only a custodial sentence and I do not think I would be justified in suspending that sentence.""I consider that this is a very serious offence which merits only a custodial sentence and I do not think I would be justified in suspending that sentence."