Killer encouraged girl, 16, into prostitution and took cut of her earnings
A convicted murderer pushed a 16-year-old into prostitution before taking a cut of the money she had earned, a court has heard.
Charles Frayne had been in a sexual relationship with the teenager before he was caught when police attended a flat he had rented out for the girl to see clients. The 46-year-old - jailed for life in 1998 for the murder of jeweller Gerry Hales stabbed to death during a robbery - was arrested in Cardiff, south Wales, in April last year.
Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Tuesday heard Frayne was discovered at an address with his victim after police spoke to a man concerned that prostitution taken place. Upon answering the door of the Colum Road flat, Frayne was partially dressed and his "facial expression" changed upon seeing police.
WalesOnline report victim then came to the door and gave a false name and false age, telling police she was 20-years-old but appeared "jittery" and was trembling. Further suspicions were raised when open packets of condoms, lingerie and a notebook containing notes about sexual acts were discovered in the flat.
Prosecutor Julia Cox said: "It was quite clear to police some element of sexual activity was ongoing." At some point, another woman arrived at the property and referred to the victim by another name to the one she had given to police.
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When the victim was spoken to alone, she told police she had met Frayne on Snapchat and was actually 16-years-old. In an interview, she said the defendant assisted her in opening an account on a website linked to prostitution and gave her the money to do so.
She said she obtained clients and would pay Frayne a section of her earnings. He rented out the property in Colum Road through an Airbnb for four days, and he would be present when she was with clients in another room. He also paid for her food and taxi expenses.
Frayne, of no fixed abode, was arrested and later pleaded guilty to causing or inciting prostitution, but maintained he genuinely believed the victim to be 20-years-old. As well as his conviction for murder, the defendant has previous convictions for perverting the course of justice, and inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent. As a result if his latest conviction, he has been recalled to prison.
In mitigation, Marian Lewis said her client was "sofa surfing" at the time of the offence because of his difficulties in his relationship. She described the offence as "out of character" and by him pleading guilty he had spared the victim from having to give evidence.
The Recorder of Cardiff Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke sentenced Frayne to 10 months imprisonment. She also made him subject to a restraining order for four years.
Following the hearing, Detective Constable Sean James, from South Wales Police, said: “Frayne gained the female’s trust by paying for food and taxi before forming a sexual relationship. Once he gained her trust, he then funded an advert on an escort website and caused her to become involved in prostitution..
“This has been a lengthy and complex investigation, His guilty plea reflects the strength of evidence against him because of the police investigation and the bravery of the victim. The impact on the victim has been devastating but she has been extremely resilient and patient since the start of this investigation."
In an e-mail to South Wales Police, the victim’s mother wrote: “My daughter and I would like to thank South Wales Police and particularly Sean for all their help in the case. Sean has been there right from the start supporting us and has always been there when we needed him. Thank you for being amazing and we are happy that the defendant pleaded guilty, and we can move on with our lives."
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