Abstracts: April 2004
April 7, 2004
A lap of dishonour
The opinion expressed in this editorial is that local authority should have some control over Edinburgh's lapdancing bars, particularly in regard to the location of the clubs.
The Edinburgh council has no specific powers to regulate lapdancing in the city. Currently any city center pub holding a drinks licence can legally offer lapdancing. A ruling by the Scottish Executive forbids the council from banning lapdancing in pubs.
"While the council has been advised to look at introducing a by-law instead, the Executive has ducked an important issue for the city - just as it has ducked the question of legislating for tolerance zones for soliciting.
If moral concerns are behind this reluctance to act on prostitution, it seems a little odd that ministers seem quite so relaxed about the proliferation of lap-dancing bars in Scotland’s capital city."
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"A lap of dishonour" The Scotsman 7 April 2004. <http://news.scotsman.com/opinion.cfm?id=395072004>
April 7, 2004
City fails to close lap-dance loophole
According to this article:
Edinburgh city leaders have been campaigning for tougher powers to deal with lapdancing clubs. Currently lapdancing clubs operate with only a drinks licence.
Nearly a year ago, police expressed their concerns over the unchecked growth of lapdancing clubs and fears that they could be used as fronts for blackmail and money laundering.
Last year, Edinburgh city council announced its plan to pursue a local by-law allowing it to monitor and enforce restrictions on lapdancing clubs. This was put on hold in November 2003 because Scottish Executive officials disclosed they were considering allowing local councils to control lapdancing under the "Civic Government Scotland Act".
The council has now been told by the Executive that this will not be part of the proposals. The council has been advised to pursue a local by-law.
Robert Miller, senior licensing solicitor at the council warned that a by-law left "little room for manoeuvre." The by-law could ban certain physical contact between the dancers and customers and could enforce restrictions on locking of cubicle doors. He noted, however, that Glasgow has had such a bid with the Executive and there is no prospect of approval until after the Nicholson report on Scotland's licencing laws is published later this year.
Nicholson's proposals include a requirement for an "operating plan" to be submitted by the clubs and approved by local authority.
Phil Attridge, city licensing leader, wants a complete ban on lapdancing and has been told by the Executive that it would be impossible to make lapdancing illegal under the Civic Government Scotland Act.
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Ferguson, Brian. "City fails to close lap-dance loophole" The Scotsman 7 April 2004. <http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh.cfm?
id=395182004>
April 8, 2004
Hounslow man found guilty of nightclub student murder
According to this article:
Tyrone Darryl Woolley, 22, and Jack Dempsey, 23, received life sentences after being found guilty of murdering Paul Carr outside the LA Confidential lapdancing club in January 2003.
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"Hounslow man found guilty of nightclub student murder" Hounslow Guardian 8 April 2004 <http://www.hounslowguardian.co.uk/news/
localnews/display.var.478780.0.hounslow_man
_found_guilty_of_nightclub_student
_murder.php>
April 8, 2004
Lap-dancing clubs study under attack
According to this article:
Bill Aitken, MSP criticised the lapdancing study commissioned by the Glasgow city council. He accused them of "using a sledgehammer to crack a nut". The council's study is part of an attempt to halt the increasing number of lapdancing clubs in Glasgow. London University academics will interview dancers, customers and local residents. Links to prostitution and the effects of the clubs on residents will be studied.
Eddie Tobin, head of the Glasgow Nightclub Forum, was also critical of the study.
Jan McLeod, of Scottish Coalition Against Sexual Exploitation said more evidence is needed regarding activities surrounding lapdancing clubs.
Jim Coleman, the council's deputy leader also defended the study.
Quote:
"If we are to have a policy against lap-dancing clubs we need to have the facts and not base our opposition on hearsay. "There are reports from America that claim a number of these venues are fronts for organised crime and I know Edinburgh is concerned about the trade there."
~Jim Coleman
- "Lap-dancing clubs study under attack" The Evening Times 8 April 2004 <http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/print/news/
5025401.shtml>
April 9, 2004
Police set to act against city brothels
Belfast Telegraph
Michael McHugh
Abstract to follow.
April 10, 2004
A £7,000 look at lap dancing
Telegraph.co.uk
Tom Peterkin
Abstract to follow.
April 10, 2004
Sex slaves in aids epidemic fear
Sunday Mail
Abstract to follow.
April 11, 2004
Porn To Die
Sunday Herald
Jenifer Johnston
Abstract to follow.
April 14, 2004
Stowaway team arrests eight
BBC NEWS
Abstract to follow.
April 17, 2004
Blunkett Pledge after Immigration Racket Smashed
PA News
Rod Minchin
Abstract to follow.
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2793147
April 17, 2004
Dozens held in brothel raid
Reuters - London
Abstract to follow.
http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type
=topNews&storyID=494645§ion=news
April 18, 2004
Sex comes out of the city into middle England
The Observer
David Smith, Tony Thompson and Gaby Hinsliff
Government ponders legalisation as explosion in prostitution sees number of sex workers rise by 50 per cent in five years to create £770m business
Abstract to follow.
April 22, 2004
Former manager of Angels jailed for seven years (Note- PDF file)
Julian Spencer (42), the former manager of
Angels lap dancing club in Galway city was sentenced in Galway Circuit Criminal Court to seven years for possession of a sawn-off shotgun. The judge suspended the last two years of the sentence for five years and refused leave to appeal.
On March 10, 2003, Kieran Smith (who is currently illegally at large) was involved in a high speed chase with the Gardai, lost control of the bike and was arrested. A sawn-off shotgun and four cartridges were found in his possession.
Mr. Smith admitted that he intended to hand the gun and ammunition over to a man he was to meet in a Limerick City hotel. He told the gardai that Julian Spencer had supplied the gun. The gun had been stolen from a house in Mountrath and then modified.
After searching the Angels lapdancing club the next day, the Gardai detained Julian Spencer under the Offences Against the State Act. After initially denying all knowledge of the gun, Spencer later admitted he had taken the gun from a shed at the back of the nightclub and given it to Smith.
Spencer then moved to
Cork and was involved in a lapdancing club there.
Julian Spencer was sentenced in England in 1995 for trading with intent to defraud creditors and was disqualified from being a company director for five years. In 2002, he was convicted in Ireland of after hours trading in a pub in Cork.
Quote:
"He has a lavish lifestyle and drives lavish cars like a convertible BMW. He is enjoying the good life." ~Detective Staunton.
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"Former manager of Angels jailed for seven years"
Galway Advertiser 22 April 2004.
<http://www.galwayadvertiser.ie/dws/pdf/
Galway22_08.pdf>
April 27, 2004
Lapdancing on!
According to this article:
Spensley's Emporium in Albert Road, which includes the Secrets lap dancing club has received a renewal to its public entertainment licence despite objections led by local councillor John McPartland, spokesman for resident groups opposed. Sara Horsman (Secrets) said there had been no problems at the club.
Sue Harrison ( Women's Support Network) said the lap dancing club was part of the sex industry and there were direct links from the industry to the abuse of women.
Wendy Shepherd (Barnardo's) said people were working hard to combat prostitution and exploitation of children in Middlesbrough.
Quotes:
"On the streets of Middlesbrough unfortunate young girls will be selling themselves. Attractive young girls will be dancing in this club and I say there is a connection - these young ladies are not reading Shakespeare or the sonnets of Milton - they are arousing young men sexually." ~John McPartland
"We have had quite a discussion on this and on moral grounds alone it would have been refused.
"But in law we can see no reason why we should not grant the application today." ~Councillor Bernie Taylor
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McKenzie, Sandy. "Lapdancing on!" Evening Gazette 27 April 2004 <http://icteesside.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0001head/
tm_objectid=14186274&method=full&siteid=50080&
headline=lapdancing-on--name_page.html
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