Removals man sentenced after controlling woman for prostitution

Paul Cattrell, of Bewsey Road in Warrington, appeared before Caernarfon Crown Court on Wednesday for sentence.

The 37-year-old had previously admitted the crime, which took place over the course of just under two weeks in March 2020 in North Wales and Cheshire.

Simon Rogers, prosecuting, told the court that around the time of the offence, a man travelled to Chester to visit friends and stayed at a hotel in the city.

During his stay, he decided to use the services of a prostitute, and found an advert for a woman on a website.

Messages were exchanged and they arranged to meet at his hotel.

On the day agreed, the man received a message from a number belonging to the defendant to say the sex worker had arrived.

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He met the woman and the two engaged in sexual intercourse, for which he paid her £100.

The police later investigated allegations made by the sex worker, and found out the advert online had been placed under the same surname as the defendant, as well as under his email and mobile number.

When his phone was seized and analysed, officers found images identical to the ones used for the sex worker's online profile, and messages between him and another man who asked him how things were going.

"Good mate," he replied - "not long got home from doing nights driving some 'prozzie' round. Easy money."

Asked by the other man if he made good money, he answered: "50 an hour kid."

Police also found the messages to and from the man meeting the sex worker at the Chester hotel, as well as a calendar entry for the meeting entitled "Work" with the price in the details.

Further messages from him entailed prices for sex acts and overnight stays.

When he was interviewed by police, the defendant accepted he drove the woman around to meet men, but denied he got any payment other than petrol money.

Simon Mills, defending, explained his client had pleaded guilty on a basis - that he'd had a casual sexual relationship with the woman, who was already a sex worker when he met her.

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He'd agreed to drive her to locations where she'd have sexual activity for cash, and he performed some diary and advertising functions for her with her full knowledge and consent.

"No element of their working relationship was coercive or exploitative of her," Mr Mills said.

"They carried out the activities together.

"They have no contact whatsoever anymore, and Mr Catrell has been surprisingly mindful about this case and its impact on others.

"He's clearly had a pretty tough life in a number of respects and it looks like he has reached a point where he wants to improve himself.

"He's in work, doing removals. We have a genuine prospect of securing rehabilitation for him."

Judge Nicola Saffman told the defendant: "It is clear to me you are absolutely remorseful.

"During your childhood, you experienced significant trauma which no doubt contributed to your offending on this occasion, and certainly to your lifestyle at the time."

She handed down a 10 month custodial sentence, but suspended it for 18 months.

The defendant must undertake 30 days of rehabilitation activity, as well as 35 sessions on an accredited programme.

He was ordered to pay £600 towards prosecution costs and a £140 victim surcharge.

Judge Saffman imposed an indefinite restraining order to prohibit him from approaching or contacting the woman.