A MAN from Hendon has been charged for his alleged role in running a central London lap dancing club as a brothel.

Ashen Mehemt, of Edgware Close, appeared at City of Westminster Magistrates court on Saturday after being arrested as part of a joint police operation on Thursday.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's clubs and vice unit, along with officers from Camden police and the dogs unit, raided addresses across London and Essex thought to be connected with the Goodge Street Capricorn Club, which was shut down in the operation on the same day.

The 63-year-old was taken from the club to a central London police station for questioning before detectives charged him with controlling a brothel for the use of prostitution, possession with intent to supply class A drugs and controlling prostitution for gain.

The bench remanded him in custody until December 23 when he will appear at Southwark Crown Court for a plea and case management hearing.

Two other men have been charged following the raid, and will appear on the same date. John James Wall, 45, of Poplar, has been charged with controlling a brothel for the use of prostitution, controlling prostitution for gain, possession with intent to supply class A drugs, possession of an offensive weapon, and money laundering.

John George Wall, 69, of Bow, has been charged with controlling a brothel for the use of prostitution, controlling prostitution for gain and possession of an offensive weapon.

A 49-year-old woman was also arrested from an address in Hendon and has been bailed to return to police in January, pending further enquiries.

A 44-year-old man, a 55-year-old man and a woman, 57, have been been bailed until dates in January.

Police said they were interviewing 18 women, aged in their 20s and 30s, believed to have worked at the club, and added all of them will be offered support services.