Three defendants have been sentenced after a multi‑venue prostitution operation was uncovered following police raids on massage parlours, a court heard. The network, which operated from premises across Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Reading, generated in excess of £500,000 in profit, prosecutors said.
Sentencing after county-wide operation
The case concluded at Swindon Crown Court on Friday 17 July, where Khondakar Hasan, 39, Liu Xu Hopkins, 55, and Benjamin Hopkins, 56, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to control prostitution for gain on 21 November 2025.
All three were linked to activity at a number of massage businesses targeted during the investigation. Officers had executed warrants and raided premises including China Studio in Chippenham Market Place and China Star Therapy on New Road on 17 October 2025, following reports that sexual services were being offered.
Roles in the operation and safeguarding
Prosecutors outlined distinct roles played by each defendant: Hasan was said to have run the day‑to‑day operations and managed finances; Liu Xu Hopkins recruited and coordinated workers, moving them between venues; and Benjamin Hopkins maintained properties and transported women between locations.
“This was a deliberate and exploitative operation run for profit, in which women were treated as commodities,”
The Crown Prosecution Service told the court they relied on telephone and financial records, CCTV and surveillance to secure convictions without a full trial. Police arrested about half a dozen people during the enquiries and seven women were safeguarded at the time of the raids. Prosecutors also said one woman had been brought from China to work at the venues and others had been recruited via advertisements and had travelled from across the UK.
Prison terms and next steps
Sentences imposed were:
- Liu Xu Hopkins – 24 months imprisonment
- Benjamin Hopkins – 18 months imprisonment
- Khondakar Hasan – 18 months imprisonment
The convictions follow an investigation that began after local reports prompted targeted enforcement action. The Crown Prosecution Service described the operation as exploitative, emphasising that the defendants exercised control over the women’s movements, work and living arrangements while concealing criminal activity behind the appearance of legitimate businesses.
Local impact and safeguarding
The case highlights cross‑border policing and the use of financial and communications evidence in disrupting criminal networks. It also underlines the safeguarding responsibilities of law enforcement when women working in such premises are identified as potential victims of exploitation.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of premises targeted | Seven (across several counties) |
| People safeguarded | Seven women |
| Reported profit | Over £500,000 |
Residents in Staple Hill, where two of the defendants were based on High Street, may wish to be reassured that the investigation was led by Wiltshire officers and concluded with custodial sentences. Anyone concerned about potential exploitation or who has information about similar activity is encouraged to contact local policing teams or Crimestoppers.
This report is based on court and police material presented at Swindon Crown Court and statements from the Crown Prosecution Service.
