Chinese massage store accused of being a brothel faces court

The Sex Work Act allows the Magistrates’ Court to declare a premises a proscribed brothel on the application of a police officer satisfied it has been operating as such without a licence.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Jo Allen told the court Shepparton's Criminal Investigation Unit had been investigating the matter.

She added the court proceedings were "a very unusual application", and said she would not be surprised if it was the first application of its kind made in Shepparton.

“I can just about guarantee that,” Magistrate David Faram said.

The matter will return to court for a special mention on June 2, before a two-day hearing on July 14 and 15.