Keeping a brothel used for prostitution

s.33A Sexual Offences Act 1956 · Crown Court / Magistrates

Sentencing framework

The guideline for sentencing 'Keeping a brothel used for prostitution' is structured around categories of harm and culpability. Courts assess the severity of harm and the level of culpability to determine the appropriate starting point and range for sentencing. Various aggravating factors like previous convictions or threats made against individuals involved in the brothel can elevate sentences, while mitigating factors such as remorse or lack of previous convictions can justifiably reduce them.

Maximum sentence

7 years’ custody

Court

Crown Court / Magistrates

Offence range

Community order - 6 years’ custody

Aggravating factors

·Previous convictions
·Offence committed whilst on bail
·Failure to comply with current court orders
·Offence committed whilst on licence
·Deliberate isolation of those working in brothel
·Threats made to expose those working in brothel
·Harm threatened against the family/friends of those working in brothel
·Passport/identity documents removed
·Medical treatment withheld
·Food withheld
·Passing around those working in brothel
·Withholding earnings from those working in brothel
·Preventing reporting incidents

Mitigating factors

·No previous convictions or no relevant/recent convictions
·Remorse
·Positive character and/or exemplary conduct
·Age and/or lack of maturity
·Mental disorder or learning disability
·Demonstration of steps taken to address offending behaviour
·Physical disability or serious medical condition
·Difficult and/or deprived background
·Prospects of or in work, training or education

Sentencing range explorer

Select the culpability level and harm category to see the guideline's starting point and category range. This is an educational illustration of the published guideline — not a sentence calculation, and not legal advice. Courts apply the full step-by-step process, aggravating and mitigating factors, and the totality principle.

Culpability

Harm

Select a culpability level and a harm category above.

The sentencing process, step by step

Step 1 — determining the offence category
Step 2 — establishing culpability and harm
Step 3 — considering any factors indicating reduction
Step 4 — applying reductions for guilty pleas
Step 5 — totality principle
Step 6 — considering ancillary orders
Step 7 — giving reasons for the sentence
Step 8 — considering time spent on bail

Always read the full guideline

This is a one-page summary. For any live case, sentencing exercise, or legal advice the authoritative source is the Sentencing Council's own definitive guideline — including the category bands, step-by-step sentencing approach, and all statutory factors not captured here.

Open the full guideline on sentencingcouncil.org.uk

Source: Sentencing Council · Crown copyright, licensed under Open Government Licence v3.0. Summary fetched 2026-06-28. Not legal advice — see a regulated adviser for any live case.