A LEATHERHEAD couple who made millions from running a brothel empire have been jailed for trafficking women for sexual exploitation.

Nikki Chen, 56, and Michael Dalton, 44, of Kingston Road, ran four brothels in London over a six-year period, importing women from East Asia to work as prostitutes.

Meanwhile the couple lived a life of luxury with properties in Gloucestershire and Surrey, driving Mercedes and Lamborghini sports cars bought with the proceeds.

Dalton was found guilty at Croydon Crown Court of conspiracy to traffic within the UK for sexual exploitation, while Chen had admitted the same charge at an earlier hearing.

Appearing at Croydon Crown Court on Thursday, August 5, Dalton was jailed for three years and Chen for two and a half years for control of prostitution for gain.

For conspiracy to traffic in the UK Dalton received 21 months and Chen 18 months, while for money laundering offences Dalton received an 18-month prison sentence while Chen received two years. All the sentences will run concurrently.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Chief Superintendent Richard Martin, head of the Metropolitan Police's Human Exploitation and Organised Crime Command, said: "Chen, Dalton and their co-conspirators had a blatant disregard for the women they had brought into, and moved around the UK, with the promise of a better life.

"The young women they controlled were exploited and obliged to have sex with in excess of 12 strangers a day, in order to pay off the debts they had accrued in being trafficked to the UK on false passports and visas. Some did not know that they would have to work as prostitutes in the UK.

"Nikki Chen and Michael Dalton took the vast majority of the cash they made through their illegal activities to fund their lavish lifestyles, living in expensive houses and driving luxury sports cars.

"Fortunately, their criminality came to our attention and they have now been convicted for the fear and exploitation they caused."

Their sentencing follows Operation Icefall, an investigation by the Met's Clubs and Vice Unit, which observed at least a dozen customers visiting each of the brothels each day.

Also convicted was Manjit Singh, 33, of Maidenhead, who received a 12-month jail sentence suspended for two years after admitting conspiracy to traffick within the UK for sexual exploitation.

Ian Garrett, 43, of Kingston Road, Epsom, received an 18-month prison sentence in July after admitting the same charge.

Chen has already paid back £250,000 while the amount Dalton is to pay back will be determined at a future hearing.