Courts / Dublin / Report

Husband jailed for helping wife run 'happy endings' massage parlour

Date
2021-11-09
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin City
County
Dublin

Summary

In November 2021, the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced Xiangfu Zheng, 42, to 18 months' imprisonment for assisting in the management of a brothel at Jasmine Massage Parlour, Dorset Street Lower, between 29 January 2016 and 19 July 2017. Zheng pleaded not guilty but was found guilty by a jury. He denied knowledge of sexual acts occurring in the parlour, though he admitted to hiring staff and advertising the establishment. His wife, Qiuping Chen, 36, had pleaded guilty to the same offence and received a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence in December 2020, fully suspended. Judge Pauline Codd noted the operation was relatively small and that Zheng had no prior convictions. The court suspended 16 months of the sentence on strict conditions, leaving 2 months of custodial time. Zheng entered a bond to keep the peace and was reminded that prostitution is illegal in Ireland.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Husband jailed for helping wife run 'happy endings' massage parlour. Charges or matters: the offence; management of a brothel and in December 2020, she received a two-and-a-half year sentence, which was fully suspended. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

Case subjects

Qiuping Chen

Accused

Charges: management of a brothel and in December 2020, she received a two-and-a-half year sentence, which was fully suspended (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Qiuping Chen (36), of the same address, pleaded guilty before the court to management of a brothel and in December 2020, she received a two-and-a-half year sentence, which was fully suspended.

Xiangfu Zheng

Convicted Person

Charges: the offence; management of a brothel and in December 2020, she received a two-and-a-half year sentence, which was fully suspended (Proven)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; Photo: Collins) A husband who helped his wife in the management of a massage parlour that provided "happy endings" has been jailed for two months. Judge Codd sentenced Zheng to 18 months imprisonment but suspended the final 16 months on strict conditions.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Residence
Incident
  • Dorset Street

Topics

Stage Sentence

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