As bad as landlordism is in this country, it’s nowhere near as bad as the recent ‘sex for rent’ landlords that have been appearing over the past few years – but at least now it seems that some of them are finally getting their comeuppance.
Images VIA
53 year old Christopher Cox advertised on Craigsliist for young, vulnerable women to come and live with him in his spare room in Cranleigh, Surrey. Here’s what his advert on Craigslist said:
If you are a young girl 16-plus who is stuck at home and wants to get away or maybe you are homeless seeking a safe route out, I have a room available in my home for a young girl.
In return, you are expected to cook, clean, do laundry and possibly more.
Sounds innocent enough right? Wrong – in return for the room, Cox expected his tenants to wear bikinis, take part in BDSM and bondage with him, as well as sleeping in his bed. Gross.
Fortunately, Cox was exposed after two undercover journalists from ITV’s ‘The Kyle Files’ replied to one of his adverts in 2018 – before Jeremy Kyle was cancelled – and passed their research onto Surrey police. Cox was so addicted to his ‘sex for rent’ tenants though that he continued to post out Craigslist adverts, even after he was confronted by television cameras and made aware that the police had his information. What a sicko.
Here’s what Judge Robert Fraser said about the case:
Your behaviour was a cynical attempt to take advantage by dangling a carrot to those who had little choice, very deliberately targeting homeless women who were vulnerable.
This offence has become known colloquially as sex-for-rent and this is the first such prosecution that has been brought.
It is remarkable and says something about your determination to continue that you posted further advertisements.
It perhaps says something about the strength of your sexual intention.
Sadly though, despite the fact that it’s somewhat of a landmark case, Cox has only received a one year prison sentence after he admitted inciting and controlling prostitution. You kinda feel like he should maybe get a more harsh punishment for such a rank crime? The system is broken man.
For more of the same, check out these other ‘sex for rent’ landlords that were exposed by The Mail On Sunday a few years ago. Why is this such a problem in this country?
