A man and his son were yesterday remanded to prison for allegedly procuring a female to become a prostitute and for managing and keeping a bawdy house.

Joseph Baker, 58, of 98 Narine Street, Better Hope, and his son Carlos Baker, 35, of the same address, appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson and both pleaded not guilty to the joint charges, which stated that between January 1 and April 27, 2009, they procured a female to become a prostitute, and between the said dates they managed and kept a bawdy house.

Defence Counsel Mr. Vic Puran represented the defendants and stated that the case is an embarrassment to his clients. He said his clients operate a beer garden and the virtual complainant worked as a cleaner.

The lawyer argued that it is a neighbour who is trying to create problems for his clients. He said the neighbour always complains about a noise nuisance coming from the beer garden. He added that his clients are respectable people and are both married.

Puran said the virtual complainant was hired to clean around the business place, and whenever it gets late she would normally spend the night there.

He stated that his clients are not responsible if the virtual complainant chooses to take someone in her room.

However, the investigating officer stated that the defendants hired five Amerindian girls as cleaners. The officer said after the girls began to work they were approached by customers to have sexual intercourse for money; and after they refused, the defendants insisted that they entertain the customers.

The officer stated that the defendants threatened not to pay the girls if they did not do as they were told. The officer further reported that the defendants took $3,000 for a room from the customers.

Police Inspector Stephen Telford, objected to bail and stated that one of the girls reported the matter.
The men were refused bail and the case will be called again on December 9.