British Bungalow Brothel Beats Bum Rap

To the great relief of British men with overly "stiff muscles", the owner of a massage parlor who offered "happy endings" has been cleared of running a brothel from her bungalow.  Claire Astrid Finch, 49, of Chalton Heights in Bedfordshire, England was found not guilty  of keeping a brothel for prostitution.

Madam Finch took out advertisements in local newspapers and on the internet, selling topless massage "with happy endings".  She told the court she wanted to work with other women for the sake of "safety" and "camaraderie".

Finch had denied keeping a brothel and was unanimously cleared by the jury.  Up to four other middle aged women would work from the property, but Finch told police she did not provide other services but some of her colleagues did.  She would take a fee to pay for use of the premises and newspaper advertising.

The prosecution alleged Finch worked as a prostitute for many years.  Anna Morris, for the defense, said her client had opened up her home because of concern for the safety of herself and others.

Finch told the jury: "I wanted to work with a second person. It is not only safety, it is camaraderie. It wasn't all sex. A lot of clients said they like to come because it was clean and safe."

Outside court the mother of two said: "This is a victory for women who want to do this work from the safety of their houses.  This has been 16 months of sheer hell for me but today I have had my own happy ending.  I will now do whatever I can to campaign to have the law changed."