A Pinner man has been accused of running a brothel.

Rosario Galea of Pinner Hill Road is charged with living off prostitution at the Steam and Sun Sauna in Euston between September 1995 and February last year.

Galea, 55, who had a flat above the premises and allegedly paid its rent, denied the charge and another of aiding and abetting the crime at the opening of his trial at Harrow Crown Court on Thursday.

Christopher Hehir, prosecuting, said Galea was seen regularly at the sauna and was clearly a partner in the enterprise.

Police raided the sauna in February after several weeks of observation and undercover visits.

Male officers were offered sex by the women working there and a female officer who applied for a job was given the impression by manager Carmel (Charlie) Zamit that "there was an obvious inducement for the girls to offer sexual services". A video of the raid allegedly shows a couple having sex as police burst in.

Galea was arrested at a Soho pub. He said he rented the flat but, as far as he knew, prostitution did not take place.

Zamit, 57, from Holloway, denies living off prostitution and claims that he, Galea and two other men were partners in a legitimate business.

Also in the dock are Zamit's common-law wife Christine, 45, and his 24-year-old mistress Angela Shaw, both charged with aiding and abetting him at the sauna.

Zamit is also charged with living off immoral earnings at another address, and two alleged prostitutes' "maids" are charged with aiding and abetting him. The trial continues.

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