A couple who ran a brothel in Norwich have been jailed for a total of four years.

Alexsander Sochacki, 41, and his partner Aleksandra Bryll, 29, advertised in Poland for sex workers to come to the UK and paid for their flights, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

A brothel in Avenue Road, in the Golden Triangle area of Norwich, was one of a number the couple ran across the eastern region and which were raided by police.

Sochacki, who was living in The Admirals, Harwich, Essex, had denied conspiring to manage or assist in the management of brothels between November 2008-July 2010, and was found guilty after a trial in the summer. He was jailed for three years and Bryll, who admitted the same charge, was jailed for 12 months.

Sentencing them yesterday, Judge David Goodin said: 'This was a significant, large-scale, commercial operation.' He said the couple, who have previous convictions for the same offence, were experienced brothel-keepers and had made significant profits.

Charles Myatt, prosecuting, described Sochacki as the 'directing mind' behind the operation and said Bryll had assisted him by advertising for females in Poland, and placing ads for the brothels in British newspapers. She had also arranged accommodation for the sex workers and her name was on utility bills for premises used as brothels. Police also found brothels in Ipswich and Colchester.

Craig Rush, for Sochacki, said the brothels were clean, safe premises and the girls were not badly treated. Samantha Leigh, for Aleksandra Bryll, said she had been a working girl until she got pregnant and had now learned her lesson. The defendants' arrests were the result of a Suffolk Constabulary-led operation, which also include Norfolk police.

Detective Chief Inspector Bernie Morgan who led the operation said: 'The sentencing at court today outlines the seriousness of this case and not only sends out a strong message that sexual exploitation will not be tolerated and that we will do everything in our power to bring those responsible to justice, but will also hopefully provide some reassurance to the victims.'