Three women have gone on trial accused of being part of an organised criminal group running brothels in Kent.

A jury at Maidstone Crown Court heard the gang – headed by a man called Leo – had used the Chinese technology giant Huawei as cover.

Flats were rent in Tonbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Brentford and other parts of the South East by people claiming to work for the telecom company.

But it was claimed that was cover by the crime group to establish brothels and then launder the money from prostitution.

Shuangyan Hu, 36, of St Kildas Road, Harrow; Yali Geng, 20, and Pikwa Wong, 26, both of Islington have all denied charges of conspiring to set up brothels and launder money.

The trial is being translated into Mandarin by three translators.

Alan Gardner, prosecuting, said police discovered communication between the women in which the brothels were described as “shops” and adverts were placed on the Internet.

He claimed the brothels contained sex workers, housekeepers, security people and someone to collect the money and put it into Halifax banks.

A fourth man has already pleaded guilty and will be sentenced later.

The trial continues.

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