A Hendon woman has been jailed today for her role in a Thai prostitute ring which helped her earn hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Jirapha Sriwisha, of Sturgess Avenue, was handed a two-year prison sentence at Southwark Crown Court for buying Thai women smuggled into the country and then forcing them into prostitution.

She previously pleaded guilty to two counts of controlling prostitution for financial gain on October 24.

The 40-year-old paid between £20,000 and £30,000 for the women and said they must “work off” their debts at brothels across the capital to earn their freedom despite taking a high percentage of their earnings for herself.

She used online escort agency Orientalgems.com, which has since been shut down by police, to advertise the women. Hourly rates started at £150 an hour, rising to £1000 for an “overnight” visit, police said.

Sriwisha, who appeared at Southwark Crown Court alongside nine other defendants, all Thai nationals, who were also involved in the sophisticated operation.

Detective Superintendent Dave Eyles, in charge, said: “This case uncovered some of the largest debt bondages ever come across by my officers. It would have been virtually impossible for the women to ever pay back such substantial amounts of money, making them captives.

“Those who have been identified as key players were undoubtedly making hundreds of thousands of pounds, all generated through the exploitation and unhappiness of the women who were the victims in all this.”

After police busted the vice ring the victims were cared for at a specialist centre staffed by interpreters, health workers and officers trained in sexual offences interview techniques.

Nine of the victims made statements to the police and, at their request, fifteen women were returned to their home country.

A separate financial investigation is ongoing.