A couple has fronted court charged with keeping a number of women as intercourse slaves who had been allegedly branded with tattoos and drugged.
Matthew James Markcrow, 35, and his girlfriend Crystal Marie Sawyer, 23, appeared in Brisbane Arrests Court on Friday after police allegedly uncovered proof to assist “sexual servitude and organised prostitution” throughout raids at Queensland properties this week.
Mr Markcrow, 35, is dealing with 10 costs, together with conducting illegal prostitution, making recordings in breach of privateness and three counts of contravening an order about digital data.
He’s additionally dealing with a Commonwealth cost of conducting a enterprise involving sexual servitude of a woman below 18 between March 2019 and August 2019.
His associate, Ms Sawyer, 23, has been charged with two counts of contravening an order about digital data and one depend of conducting illegal prostitution.
Police allege a quantity of women, aged between 17 and 24, got stupefying medicine, branded with tattoos and subjected to sexual servitude.
It is usually alleged the women had been subjected to managed residing, monetary and work situations.
On Fb Mr Markcrow has posted photographs of tattoos which seem like inked on completely different women, that learn “Property of Matt M”.
Within the feedback below his photograph he allegedly says that he’s their “boyfriends in the long run” and if he “had all of the names it will look extra like a scroll.”
Mr Markcrow and Ms Sawyer had been arrested after police carried out raids at properties in Mount Gravatt East and South Brisbane on Thursday.
Medication and recordings of sexual acts had been allegedly uncovered by officers.
Whereas Mr Markcrow has been remanded in custody, Ms Sawyer was granted bail regardless of submissions from police that she “exerted management” over the women and considerations she could run the enterprise in her boyfriend’s absence.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Mark Hughes instructed the court Ms Sawyer was current with the women on the deal with throughout one of the police searches.
“Through the course of the search warrant Sawyer said she was ‘like a mom’ to the opposite ladies,” Sgt Hughes stated.
“Police noticed different ladies adopted Sawyer’s management throughout the search … she demonstrated a level of management over the opposite ladies.”
The court heard that Ms Sawyer refused to offer police the passcode to a cellphone and laptop computer seized by police.
Sgt Hughes instructed the court Ms Sawyer and Mr Markcrow had been in a relationship and she or he had instructed him she would “take care of every part” when she noticed him in the watch home.
However defence lawyer Lily Berkeley stated there was no concrete proof that Ms Sawyer had been concerned in the enterprise and the costs had been introduced “considerably prematurely”.
She stated her consumer might abide by strict bail situations, together with a no-contact order with any witnesses.
Justice of the Peace Stephen Courtney stated the costs in opposition to Mr Mackrow had a “significantly sinister flavour” however he wanted to focus Ms Sawyer’s costs and what was earlier than the court.
He granted her bail, with situations to not contact the witnesses and to report back to police twice every week.
Detective Inspector Juliet Hancock stated the Prostitution Enforcement Taskforce had obtained a tip off late final 12 months.
“This investigation remains to be ongoing,” she stated.
Ms Hancock stated police had been investigating whether or not there have been any extra alleged victims and inspired anybody with additional data to come back ahead.
Mr Markcrow was remanded in custody on a return to jail warrant and can reappear in court on February 24.
