Three people have been jailed for running a prostitution network from massage parlours across England, including one in Chippenham.
Khondaker Fuad Hasan, Liu Xu Hopkins and Benjamin Hopkins were sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on 17 July after admitting conspiracy to control prostitution for gain.
The three pleaded guilty to the offence on 21 November 2025. The Crown Prosecution Service said the operation generated more than half a million pounds in profit between September 2024 and October 2025.
Prosecutors built the case using telephone and financial records, CCTV footage and surveillance evidence. The evidence led all three defendants to plead guilty without the need for a trial.
The network operated under the guise of Chinese health and massage businesses at seven premises in Chippenham, Gloucester, Bury St Edmunds, Reading, Cheltenham and Ely.
The Chippenham operation, China Studio in Market Place and China Star Therapy in New Road, were what sparked the probe. At the time, Sgt Jamie Ball said that “a number of vulnerable women will now be safeguarded” following the raids.
One woman was brought to the UK from China to work at the venues. Other women were recruited through advertisements and travelled from across the country to work at the premises.
The court heard that each defendant had a specific role within the operation. Hasan, 40, was responsible for the day-to-day running of the businesses and managed the finances.
Liu Xu Hopkins sourced and managed the women, arranging for them to move between the different locations.
Benjamin Hopkins, 57, maintained the properties and transported the women between the venues.
Liu Xu Hopkins, 56, was jailed for 24 months, while Hasan and Benjamin Hopkins were each sentenced to 18 months in prison.
“This investigation began thanks to a referral from Wiltshire Police following community concerns about businesses in Chippenham”, DCI Adam Smith, of the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit, said.
Adding: “Thanks to that initial intelligence we were able to uncover a network of brothels exploiting women for the financial gain of Mr and Mrs Hopkins and Mr Hasan.
“The next stage of our investigation is to determine what assets the trio have derived from crime and deprive them of these.
“We’ll also apply for serious crime prevention orders to prevent them from being able to run or open any similar businesses in the future.”
Andrew Eddy, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “This was a deliberate and exploitative operation run for profit, in which women were treated as commodities.
“The defendants exercised control over the women’s movements, work and living arrangements, while concealing their criminal activity behind the appearance of legitimate massage businesses.
“The CPS will continue to work closely with law enforcement partners to bring to justice those who seek to exploit others for financial gain.”
