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ABC News
ABC News
National

New charges laid over Brisbane sexual slavery ring

Ms Stead faced court today, charged with conducting a business involving servitude with a victim under 18 and unlawful prostitution. (ABC News: Talissa Siganto)

A Brisbane woman has appeared in court this morning charged over her involvement in a sexual slavery ring that was uncovered in Brisbane last week.

Police charged Hannah Stead, 23, with conducting a business involving servitude with a victim under 18 and unlawful prostitution. 

The alleged offences occurred in 2019 and relate to a couple who were charged with similar offences last week.

Matthew Markcrow and Crystal Marie Sawyer, 23, were arrested last Thursday during a search of two properties, at South Brisbane and Mount Gravatt East.

Matthew James Markcrow is accused of drugging women and keeping them as sex slaves.(Facebook)

Four females, between the ages of 17 and 24, were found at the Mount Gravatt East home, but police believed there were more alleged victims.

Mr Markcrow, 35, was accused of giving women stupefying drugs, controlling their finances, and tattooing them as being his property.

Covert recordings of the sex acts were also found during the search, as well as drugs, and evidence to support sexual servitude and organised prostitution offences.

Ms Stead, who was already on bail, was given a number of conditions by a magistrate, including reporting to police, and no contact with any of her co-accused and alleged victims.

All three will face court again later this month.

Crystal Marie Sawyer faced court last week with knowingly carrying on the business of unlawful prostitution.(Facebook)
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