Four in court on charges of sex trafficking

FOUR people have appeared in court to face one of the first prosecutions in Scotland under new sex trafficking legislation.

Stephen Craig, Malcolm McNeil, Gordon Dryburgh and Sarah Beukan are all accused of moving women and men around the UK for prostitution.

The four, who deny the charges, appeared for a hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

The addresses of Craig, 34, and McNeil, 47, were given as Barlinnie prison in Glasgow. Dryburgh, aged 38, is from Bridge of Allan, and 22-year-old Beukan is from Leith.

They all deny moving 14 men and women to various addresses for sex, between January 2009 and September 2010.

Beuken also denies managing the alleged victims and arranging accommodation and advertising for them at various Glasgow addresses between the same dates.

The three men are charged with managing the men and women and living on earnings from prostitution. A trial has been adjourned until August.