A SEX doll company has been fined £10,000 for operating without a licence.

Gateshead Council received a complaint that LD Europe Limited of Felling, was operating a ‘try before you buy’ service for its range of sex dolls.

Officers from the authority investigated the allegations and visited the premises in January.

Owner Graeme Tulip confirmed he was selling ‘sex articles’ and offering them for loan.

The council said its officers were shown the ‘try before you buy’ bedroom.

Mr Tulip was informed that such a use would require a Sex Establishment Licence and that no such licence had been sought or granted for the premises.

He was later invited for formal interview under caution where Mr Tulip conceded that his business would require a Sex Establishment Licence and that he did not have one.

At Gateshead Magistrates Court last week, LD Europe Limited was convicted of knowingly using their premises as a sex establishment without obtaining a licence.

Magistrates fined the company £10,000 with £600 costs.

The company was tried in its absence as neither the owner nor his legal representative attended court.

No-one at the firm was available for comment.