Ian Barnett, a figure embroiled in a legal battle following his imprisonment in 2008 for running brothels in Manchester, is now taking a firm stance against the authorities. Barnett, sentenced to three years and ordered to forfeit £5 million, is pursuing legal appeals to clear his name and seeking damages from the police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
In a bold move, Barnett contends that his convictions lack validity, asserting that the police turned a blind eye to his brothels in exchange for information and assurance that his establishments remained clear of drug-related and trafficking activities. Additionally, he accuses the CPS of pursuing his conviction with malicious intent.
This legal standoff has far-reaching implications as it casts doubt on the modus operandi of several police forces. The scrutiny extends to Home Office guidelines issued in 2000, which hinted at a more lenient approach towards brothel proprietors.
Scheduled to appear in court for the initiation of his civil action, Barnett faced a delay when District Judge Sunil Iyer requested additional time to review court documents. Both the Greater Manchester Police and CPS seek to halt Barnett's pursuit, citing his prior conviction as grounds for dismissing the civil case. They aim to employ a "strike-out action" to prevent a full hearing, effectively preventing the exposure of police dealings with the sex industry.
A significant turn in Barnett's favor occurred last December with a Court of Appeal judgment reducing his confiscation order by £4.2 million. The judges acknowledged that while Barnett's prostitution enterprises weren't condoned by local law enforcement, they received tacit approval over time, hinting at broader implications for similar cases.
Responding to Barnett's allegations, a CPS spokesperson maintained their stance, stating, "The Crown Prosecution Service has instructed lawyers to apply to have a court strike off Ian Barnett's claim that the CPS acted inappropriately and maliciously while prosecuting him, as we believe that his civil claim is in essence an attempt to undermine the guilty verdict reached by the Crown Court during his criminal trial."
Greater Manchester Police, however, declined to comment, citing the ongoing nature of the case.
Barnett's legal pursuit stands as a testament to his defiance against what he perceives as unjust persecution. As the legal battle unfolds, the implications for the policing of the sex industry and the conduct of law enforcement are set to be thoroughly examined in the court of public opinion.