A local authority in the north east has fined a sex doll company £10,000 for operating without a licence.
Gateshead Council received a complaint that LD Europe Limited, run by a Graeme Tulip, was operating a 'try before you buy' service for its range of sex dolls.
After a thorough investigation of the premises, which included a showroom and a bedroom, council officers concluded the business would require a Sex Establishment Licence.
In a later interview Mr Tulip conceded he required such a licence and had not attempted to get one.
LD Europe Limited was convicted at Gateshead Magistrates Court of knowingly using their premises as a sex establishment without obtaining a licence.
Magistrates fined the company £10,000 with £600 costs.
