AN ACCUSED ‘pimp’ enabled prostitutes to carry out sex work but did not control them, a court has heard.

During the defence closing speech at Bournemouth Crown Court on July 23, a jury heard a man alleged to have controlled prostitutes was instead supporting them.

Oliver Jovanovic is facing trial alongside his cousin, Sebastian Jacimovic, for arranging the travel of a person with a view to exploit.

Jovanovic is also accused of controlling prostitution for gain, but both men deny the charges.

Mr Thomas Evans, defending Jovanovic, told the court there is “more than a reasonable doubt” that he was controlling the three women, and that defence suggest he was not.

He added that prostitution is legal in the UK and assisting prostitution is not necessarily illegal.

For example, Mr Evans said a website that allows prostitutes to arrange appointments, allows sex workers to carry out their business and profits from it but does not control them.

“My client accepts that he enabled the sex work by taking the women to meetings, but they were autonomous workers who were not operating under his control,” said Mr Evans.

He added that regardless of how “distasteful” it may be that someone has involved themselves in sex work, the jury must be sure that the defendant was controlling the women.

“The women do not need a controller but they do need support,” said Mr Evans.

“There may have been time when sex workers could not operate without pimp but that is not case anymore because of the internet.”

However, he said prostitution can be dangerous and sex workers may need someone nearby that has their best interests at heart. 

Read more on the case: 

Bournemouth ‘pimp’ allegedly controlled and profited from prostitutes

Bournemouth sex workers arranged appointments without ‘alleged pimp’

Alleged pimp reportedly paid man to drive his prostitutes, a court hears

He said although human trafficking forcing women into prostitution does still happen, this is not what was happening in this case.

Evidence showed the sex workers set up their own website accounts, decided the prices of services, took payment themselves and refused certain services, said Mr Evans.

“He does not appear to set up a single meeting or negotiated any of the sex work.

“He is not a very impressive pimp you might think if he is not arranging or negotiating the sex work.”

The court previously heard Sebastian Jacimovic drove the three prostitutes to Wakefield, on the request of Oliver Jovanovic, to conduct sex work.

However, Jacimovic said he was unaware the women were taking part in sex work and was simply doing a favour for his cousin.

Oliver Jovanovic, 31 and of Suffolk Road in Bournemouth, and Sebastian Jacimovic, 29 and of Garway in Liverpool, deny the charges.

The trial continues.