A landlord accused of offering rent-free accommodation in exchange for sex has appeared in court in what is believed to be the first case of its kind.
Christopher Cox, 52, is alleged to have posted adverts on classifieds website Craigslist looking for young or homeless women to stay with him at his home in Cranleigh, Surrey.
He allegedly asked them to send him photos of themselves and said they should wear bikinis and provide sexual services in exchange for a room.
Cox appeared at Staines Magistrates’ Court by video-link on Wednesday charged with two counts of inciting prostitution for gain and one count of controlling prostitution for gain.
The allegations were passed to Surrey police in 2019 following an investigation by ITV researchers into so-called ‘sex-for-rent’ schemes for an episode of The Kyle Files, hosted by Jeremy Kyle.
Prosecutor Kimberly Grabban said: “The facts of this case relate to the ITV TV channel referring this matter to Surrey Police in 2019 before an episode of The Kyle Files involving the defendant.”
Cox gave no indication of pleas to two charges of inciting prostitution for gain, between August 21 and September 6 2018 and November 4 and 7 2018.
He gave a not guilty indication to a count of controlling prostitution for gain between May 17 and June 27 2018.