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Stephen Craig, 34, and Sarah Beukan, 22, admitted being part of a UK-wide prostitution ring that moved 14 men and women to addresses in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Belfast, Cardiff and Newcastle.

The prosecution has been hailed as a success for Operation Factor – an anti-trafficking drive by Strathclyde Police in conjunction other UK forces, border agencies, charities, local authorities and the Crown Office.

Yesterday, officers said the investigation had seen a number of vulnerable adults rescued in what was described as a “complex and protracted” operation. Detective Inspector Stephen Grant from Strathclyde police said: “Human beings are not products which can ever be bought and sold, and this will never be tolerated.

“These despicable individuals took advantage of desperate and vulnerable people and were willing to trade misery for profit.”

More than 200 witnesses had been due to appear at the trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court but the case, expected to last six weeks, was cut short after the two accused pleaded guilty.

A full narration of the facts of the case will take place later this month.

Craig, of Clydebank, pled guilty to a contravention of section 22 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 between 1 January, 2009 and 3 September last year. He now faces charges under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Beukan, of Leith, Edinburgh, admitted offences between October 2009 and 3 September last year.

Advocate Paul Brown, for Beukan, told the court she was a prostitute acting under the instruction of Craig. “The position is that Miss Beukan’s involvement in this crime is as someone who herself was working as a prostitute for the overall organisation.”

He said Beukan helped Craig organise travel and accommodation. “She herself made no money from the earnings of the prostitutes and any money made by her was her own earnings as a prostitute. She would pay a percentage of her earnings to the first accused,” he added.

Sheriff Sam Cathcart deferred sentencing and remanded Craig and Beukan in custody.

A spokesman for the Crown Office said: “This the first conviction for human trafficking in Scotland and represents successful partnership working between Crown Office, Strathclyde Police and the Northern Ireland Police and prosecution service,” he said.

Scottish police forces have succeeded in freeing numerous sex workers they believe to have been trafficked, but officers have found it difficult to convince victims to make formal complaints.

A spokeswoman for Glasgow Community & Safety Services, which runs Trafficking Alliance Raising Awarneness (TARA), said three of the victims in the case had received support and counselling from the organisation.

“Human trafficking is akin to slavery and Craig and Beukan exploited their victims in the most appalling manner using threats of violence and intimidation to control them,” she said.

“The women which TARA supported have been through an unimaginable ordeal but bravely prepared to give evidence against their persecutors.

“Knowing that Craig and Beukan are facing many years behind bars is a small comfort to them but at least they were spared one final indignity and did not have to give evidence in court. Hopefully, this prosecution will encourage other victims to come forward.”

Det Insp Grant said: “I hope the fact that these people have been brought to justice shows our determination to eradicate this disgrace from our society and it should act as a warning to others involved in this abhorrent way of life that we are coming to get you.”

He added: “Strathclyde Police would like to thank the brave witnesses who chose to assist in this investigation, without whom the success of the inquiry would not be possible.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Trafficking in human beings is an abhorrent, evil practice which has no place in a civilised society, and the Scottish Government is committed to working with others to ensure it is eradicated.”

Co-accused Malcolm McNeil, of Hamilton, and Gordon Dryburgh, of Bridge of Allan, walked free after their not guilty pleas were accepted.