Sydney Massage Parlor Wins Prostitution Court Case

An Australian court ruled that a massage parlor accused of illegal prostitution can stay in business because there wasn't enough evidence of paid sex to meet the legal definition of “brothel,” reports The Sydney Morning Herald.

The Hornsby Council reportedly spent nearly $100,000 building its case against the Hornsby Massage Centre, including hiring a private investigator to have sex with a prostitute and submit a graphic report as evidence.

Chaninat and Leeds’ Thailand private detectives have been conducting investigations and surveillance in Thailand for court case evidence since 1997.

After a year-long court battle, the case was dismissed because, according to the ruling judge, the council had not met the "standard of proof" that the premises met the definition of brothel with more than one prostitute providing services, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

Hornsby Council reportedly plans to lobby for an “urgent review” of the “legislative definitions” of a brothel.

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