Women jailed for managing brothel at Belfast apartment
- 14 April 2012
- From the section Northern Ireland
Two women who admitted managing a brothel at a Belfast apartment block have been jailed for two months.
Natacha Pociana, 32, a qualified lawyer from Brazil, and Sofia Matas, 35, originally from Portugal, were arrested at Victoria Place on Thursday.
Belfast Magistrates' Court was told both women, of no fixed abode, had admitted during police questioning they were working as prostitutes.
Bail was refused to an Antrim man who appeared in court alongside the women.
Robert James Weir, 53, of Durnish Road, was charged with controlling the two women's prostitution for gain, managing a brothel and possessing criminal property.
A detective constable told the court he believed prostitution was the accused's "full-time occupation", and said he had a previous conviction for similar offences.
He was remanded in custody.
