(1)A person commits an offence if—
(a)he intentionally controls any of the activities of another person relating to that person’s prostitution in any part of the world, and
(b)he does so for or in the expectation of gain for himself or a third person.
(2)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—
(a)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or both;
(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years.
Cases considering section 53 8
[2007] EWCA Crim 2664 · 19 October 2007Interprets
Section 53(1) was construed so that intentional control of prostitution-related activities includes directing or instructing those activities. It does not require force, coercion or an absence of free will. The judge’s compulsion formulation overstated the statutory threshold, but the conviction remained safe on the evidence (see paras [15]-[24]).
[2025] EWHC 2770 (Admin) · 29 October 2025
The court considered the alleged conspiracy to control prostitution for gain under section 53. It accepted that the conduct described, taken with the organised criminal purpose, disclosed the relevant criminality for the extra-territorial analysis. (see paras [31]-[38])
[2020] EWHC 3021 (Admin) · 13 November 2020Interprets
The court applied the offence of intentionally controlling another person’s prostitution for gain. It held that control retains its ordinary meaning and does not require coercion or force. (see paras [18]-[20]; [44]-[46]; [53]-[58])
What each judgment says about section 53 is in the case-law panel in the full Act.
100.Section 53 makes it an offence for a person (A) intentionally to control another person’s activities relating to prostitution, in any part of the world, where A does so for, or in the expectation of, gain for himself or a third party. This offence covers the same behaviour as section 49, but is limited to prostitution. Although this offence is not specifically limited to cases where the person controlled is aged 18 or over, it is aimed at those cases, as the offence at section 49 specifically covers cases where the person controlled is under 18. The terms “prostitution” and “gain” are defined at section 54.