Massage Parlour Forced to Close Following Police Investigation
A Solihull massage parlour has been permanently shut down by magistrates after a series of disturbing incidents, including a half-naked man being thrown out onto the street in front of schoolchildren. Dragon Phoenix Massage on Hatchford Brook Road was closed following a successful application by West Midlands Police, who raised serious concerns about potential exploitation and illegal activities at the premises.
The Incident That Sparked the Investigation
The beginning of the end for the business came in July, when a shocking public altercation unfolded. Police representative J Ockenden told Birmingham Magistrates' Court that two women were seen attempting to eject a topless man from the building, accompanied by shouting and screaming. The scene was made more unusual by the fact that one of the women was dressed in an inappropriate maid's outfit. Most alarmingly, this incident occurred in full view of school children who were on an excursion and interviewing members of the public in the area.
Chilling Discovery of Potential Exploitation
West Midlands Police conducted three visits to the premises in July, October, and earlier this month. During these visits, officers encountered different women on each occasion who could not be properly identified by the parlour's boss, Carl Aldo Tirrito. Some of the women were found to have no passports and no legal right to work in the UK, with outstanding asylum claims. One woman claimed she had been smuggled into the country, while another stated she was working to pay off a debt accrued in China.
The October police visit was triggered by a particularly disturbing report from a customer, who claimed that one woman had whispered 'help' to him during his visit, raising serious concerns about potential exploitation and coercion.
Court Ruling and Business Owner's Response
On Wednesday, November 26, Birmingham Magistrates' Court granted a three-month closure order against Dragon Phoenix Massage. The business is now unlikely to ever reopen. Carl Aldo Tirrito, the 49-year-old listed director on Companies House, did not attend the hearing but did not contest the police's application.
His representative, Mazar Iqbal, told the court that his client believed the complaints were malicious, describing the situation as a 'witch hunt'. Iqbal stated: 'At no point has anyone been arrested. At no point has anything untoward occurred.' He confirmed that Mr Tirrito was not happy to continue operating in the area and that the business would be moving regardless of the court's decision.
The closure represents a victory for local residents, councillors, and community members who had raised concerns about the establishment for over a year before the police took action.
