A pensioner took a job as an 'errand boy' for a brothel owner - and wired thousands of pounds in takings to China.
David Marsh, 72, from Salford, was both a client and friend of Guoyan Ma, who ran the illicit business and agreed to work for her as a "favour".
Marsh transferred £10,000 from the business to China and collected £8,000 in takings from the business while she was away in the country, a jury at Liverpool Crown Court heard.
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He was arrested in June 2020 and when his home in Worsley was searched, two handwritten diaries from between September 2018 and November 2018 were recovered showing he was a client at the brothel and known to be Ma's 'errand boy.'
Ma was believed to be making £3,000 a week from her illegal business and messages referred to five women working for her.
Marsh, of Springclough Avenue, was convicted of two charges of money laundering after his work at the brothel in Warrington was uncovered.
Judge Neil Flewitt, KC, told Marsh: "The money was from that prostitution business that she was running and from their verdict the jury concluded you knew what you were doing.
"I know you were doing it as a favour for a friend and I accept that you were acting under her influence.
"I understand that you were not doing it for any personal gain and I am entirely satisfied from what I saw at the trial that she was taking advantage of you but you know what you were doing and it was a crime."
Judge Flewitt said he had taken into account Marsh's age, good character, and 'ill health,' as he imposed a six-month community order with a three month electronically monitored tag from 7pm till 7am.
Simon Parry, prosecuting, told the court that 58-year-old Ma, of Clarence Street, Padgate, Warrington had received an 18-month suspended prison sentence at an earlier hearing.
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