A couple who ran a brothel in Stevenage have been ordered to pay over �200,000 from the proceeds of their crimes.

Sean Griffin, a former Met Police Community Support Officer, and his wife Debbie Griffin, both 45, of York Road in Stevenage were told to pay the money by a judge at Cambridge Crown Court last week.

Sean Griffin was ordered to pay �44,306 and his wife, �165,595 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The brothel was run from a flat in Silam Road, where Debbie and a further five prostitutes worked. She was sentenced to 16 months in prison for keeping a brothel in March while her husband was given nine months for money laundering.

Detective Inspector Ian Butler, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s economic crime unit, said: “This is an excellent result and demonstrates clearly that crime most definitely does not pay.

“Organised prostitution of this kind, where other women are recruited and organisers of the brothel take a cut of the money, is a heinous and appalling crime.

“Very often those involved in running the brothel or reaping the benefits are making money from others’ misery – preying on vulnerable people in society and, in some cases, coercing them into prostitution. It also creates issues of anti-social behaviour and community tensions for neighbours whose lives are blighted in the areas where the brothels are based.”

He urged anyone who suspects prostitution is taking place in their neighbourhood to call the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.