West end flat was used as a brothel

A MOTHER sub-let her flat to a taxi driver - who immediatelytransformed it into a brothel.

Jane Johnston thought the home in Glasgow's west end was in safehands when she handed the keys to Desmond O'Hara.

However, she was horrified when she phoned a week later to begreeted by a call-girl "offering her charms".

Glasgow Sheriff Court yesterday heard that 35-year-old O'Haraanswered an advert, put on the internet by the woman looking to sub-let her flat last October.

They met and he gave Ms Johnston an initial rent cheque for(pounds) 540 for the property in Fergus Drive, Kelvinside.

The mother-of-one decided to call him a week later to see how hewas settling in and to check that everything was well.

However, instead of O'Hara answering, she was told who "today'sgirl was" and prices for her "services".

Alan MacLeod, prosecuting, said: "She was greeted by a girlthanking her for calling. It immediately became clear that sexualservices were being offered " Ms Johnston called the police.Officers set-up a two-day watch outside the flat, where they spottedfive male "clients" visiting.

They then raided the flat and found two women inside and a clientthey had seen entering.

The women were questioned and they admitted O'Hara had "hired"them to work as prostitutes at the flat. The officers alsodiscovered hoards of pornography, sex toys, condoms and outfits,which were displayed in court yesterday.

Mr MacLeod added: "They immediately told them about O'Hara andhow they worked there, but added he would come there for his regularcut."

O'Hara was interviewed at his home in Priorwood Gate, NewtonMearns, but made no comment.

However, he yesterday pleaded guilty to running the brothel,although it was not confirmed how much he had earned.

The former car salesman said it was the first time he had beeninvolved in such a "foolish venture" after looking to increase his(pounds) 150-a-week wages.

A defence agent told the court O'Hara had placed a "sex advert"in a downmarket newspaper and that he had run it as "professionallyas possible".

Sheriff Lindsay Wood, deferred sentencing for reports, adding hewas "keeping all options open".