A COUPLE who ran an escort agency which employed a serving police officer made almost half-a-million pounds 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 where girls could take men wanting to pay for their services.

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, yesterday 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 brothesls, 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 percent of their earnings to the couple, but could make up to £2,500 per week.

The court heard as well as the purpose built brothel at NG house, girls in the North-East would use properties in Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland and South Shields.

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