A COUPLE who ran an escort agency which employed a serving police officer made almost £500,000 through prostitution, a court has ruled.

Husband and wife team Neil and Natalie Lock were in charge of the internet-based company which advertised girls to hire for sex.

The couple also owned and rented flats across the north of England, including South Shields, where working girls could take punters wanting to pay for their sexual services.

And they were in charge of NG (Notorious Girls) House in Bury, Manchester, a purpose-built three-storey brothel equipped with jacuzzis.

Judge John Milford, sitting at Newcastle Crown Court, today ruled the couple had made 447,804 from their illegal enterprises.

But he ordered Natalie Lock, who has no remaining assets, to have 1 seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Her husband was told his 43,826 in assets will be seized under the same act.

The pair hit the headlines last year when it was revealed one of their employees was serving Northumbria Police officer Victoria Thorne, from Washington, who was sacked and jailed for 15 months because of her conduct.

Neil Lock, 28, of Abbotsfield Road, Galashiels, in the Scottish Borders, admitted a series of charges relating to running brothels, managing prostitutes and abetting Thorne's misconduct.

He was jailed for four years for that, as well as drugs and weapon charges.

Natalie Lock, 28, of the same address, was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, for managing prostitutes and brothels, as well as perverting the course of justice.

The court heard during the sentencing hearing last year the escort girls paid almost 30 per cent of their earnings to the couple, but could make up to 2,500 per week.

The Notorious Girls website boasted: "Notorious Girls offer the finest value for money and exceptional professionalism.

"They possess natural beauty, intelligence and are very enthusiastic about their chosen career.

"Rest assured that high quality is for certain and your satisfaction is guaranteed."

The court heard as well as the purpose-built brothel at NG House, girls in the North East also used properties in Newcastle, Gateshead, and Sunderland.

Many of the properties, including Southwick Road, Sunderland, and Prince Edward Road, South Shields, were owned by another man but rented to the Locks.