Neighbours back brothel owner

– Alison Noonan
THE neighbours of a convicted brothel owner in Cranbourne North have rallied in support of their friend, who they claim has been wrongfully persecuted by Casey Council.
Josephine Court resident Sue, who did not want her surname published, said locals were “absolutely fuming” over allegations the woman at the end of their quiet family street was operating an illegal brothel.
The Dandenong Magistrates’ Court recently declared the premises a proscribed brothel for a three-month period, and awarded costs against the owner of $5000.
But Sue claimed her neighbour, a single mother of two, was merely running a regular massage and waxing business and had never engaged in any illegal activity.
“This poor woman has been totally victimised by council,” she said.
“She worked from home by herself. We have all been to her and everything is completely above board.
“Now they’ve taken her home from her. She is living in her car while her daughters are at home by themselves.
“She is just distraught and council won’t leave her alone.”
Sue said the controversy had ruined the street’s family-friendly reputation and left residents reeling.
“We are renowned for our Christmas light display and we have families and kids in the street all the time.
“Now, since this was made public, we have had to deal with young kids trespassing on this woman’s property asking for sex and drugs.
“It is frightening. We don’t need this in our street,” she said..
“We know this lady and she is a decent human being that does not deserve all this.”
Sue said residents were circulating a petition supporting their neighbour and calling on council to allow her back in her house.
“If we thought for one minute she was doing something wrong, we wouldn’t be backing her like this.
“We want everyone to realise the injustice of this situation and how wrong it is,” she said.
“No residents made any complaints against her. We are so angry and we will fight this.”
Casey mayor Kevin Bradford said he had received a copy of the petition but would not comment on the issue until he could gather more information.
The owner of the proscribed premises could not be contacted.