Police hunt ‘Brucie bonus’ brothel madam after court no-show

Chin Chih Chang was convicted in 2018 of running a brothel in a Kirkcaldy waterfront apartment block, and was also due to appear in court at Brighton in relation to slavery and people trafficking.

But after she failed to appear, Sussex police are now trying to find her.

While on trial in Kirkcaldy, Chang insisted she was a professional masseuse and had “no idea” the scantily clad young Asian women she employed were selling sex to her clients.

Chang (54) was selling sex through ads on Gumtree to men who paid between £80 and £110 a time for sessions at their home or in the flat in Lord Gambier Wharf.

But after she was convicted, the Sheriff imposed unpaid work and an electronic tagging order instead.

Chang was arrested again in September 2019, on suspicion of carrying out similar crimes in Hove, but she failed to appear at a recent court date.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “On January 27, Sussex Police made a successful application at Brighton Magistrates Court for a Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order (STRO) against a woman, under Section 23 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

“The defendant is required to notify all names and home address to the police within three days. Failure to comply with the Order is a criminal offence.

“The defendant was not in court and enquiries are being made to locate her.

“The woman, from Worthing, was arrested in September 2019 on suspicion of controlling prostitution and being involved in managing a brothel, in respect of two addresses in Hove. She was released under investigation. A report has been submitted to the CPS for advice on whether there should be a prosecution.”

During a five-day trial in Kirkcaldy jurors and lawyers frequently descended into laughter as a series of punters gave evidence.

One told how he’d received a “Brucie bonus” as a scantily clad woman gave him an “unexpected bonus” of a “happy ending” after his back rub.

A police officer later told how he found a customer engaging in sex acts with a woman during a raid on the property - describing him as “cocky”.

But Chang insisted she was running a legitimate business – and said the £30,000 in dirty money she transferred to her native Taiwan was cash for her son.

Asked if she knew why the male clients would ask if other women were available when they turned up she said: “Some people want noodles today and rice tomorrow.”

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