AN alleged pimp who helped three sex workers set up appointments in Warrnambool and other cities is determined to plead not guilty despite a roasting by a magistrate.
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Jason Douglas Haynes, 41, of Watton Street, Penshurst, appeared in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court yesterday for a contest mention hearing charged with four counts of living off the earnings of sex workers and 12 counts of operating an illegal brothel.
He wants to contest the charges saying he only booked motels, placed advertisements in newspapers but did not benefit from the sex workers, only had his expenses reimbursed.
In a sentencing indication, magistrate Michael Coghlan said if Mr Haynes pleaded guilty he would impose a $15,000 fine.
However, when Mr Haynes confirmed he wanted to contest the charges, the magistrate was blunt in his reponse.
Mr Coghlan said Mr Haynes had not been sensible enough to see a lawyer after making admissions to his alleged offending to police and was wasting the court’s time.
“You are going to get slaughtered. It’s hopeless,” he told the accused.
“If you fight these charges I reckon you will go to jail.”
Police allege Mr Haynes got to know sex workers through paying for their services, then developed a working relationship with a woman known as Rose.
Mr Haynes filled out an online application for a Sex Worker Act exemption and was issued one for an owner-operator.
He placed ads in the adult section of the Ballarat Courier for three sex workers and booked motel rooms at two Ballarat motels. Because of the high number of visitors, one motel staff member requested Mr Haynes have them sign in.
Other motel rooms were booked in Ballarat, Warrnambool and Geelong.
Mr Haynes was arrested at his Penshurst home on November 7 last year.
Police allege he made admissions to effectively running illegal brothels.
In an interview with police, Mr Haynes said the laws relating to sex workers were “grey”.
Mr Coghlan said it appeared Mr Haynes had worked outside the conditions of his online permit and noted the maximum penalty for each offence was five years’ imprisonment.
Mr Haynes said he and the sex workers had only been involved in “outcalls”, which were legal.
The case was adjourned for a special mention hearing in Ballarat court on May 18, followed by a potential contest hearing on July 14.
