Two appear in court charged with sex trafficking

Two men have appeared in court in Leeds charged with sex trafficking offences.

Jonathan Fleet, 34, and Ryan Matthews, 40, both appeared at Leeds Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

They have been charged with controlled prostitution for gain, arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation, and acquiring or using criminal property.

Both men were bailed to appear at Leeds Crown Court on 17 September.

Mr Matthews' solicitor, Shaid Iqbal, indicated his client would plead not guilty to all three offences, while Mr Imran Khan, representing Mr Fleet, did not indicate a plea.

The offences were alleged to have taken place between November 2021 and April 2023 and related to the trafficking of women from Brazil, Paraguay and Spain for the purpose of sexual exploitation, the court heard.

Mr Matthews, of Bonnyrigg Road in Dalkeith, and Mr Fleet, of Queens Road in Kingsclere, were accused of controlling the activities of another person at various locations around the UK for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

Both men were granted unconditional bail ahead of their next court appearance.

As part of their bail conditions imposed by West Yorkshire Police, neither must visit any premises being used for the purposes of prostitution.

Mr Matthews, who previously lived in Manchester, was also granted permission to go on holiday to Dubai before his next appearance in court.

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