Brothel owner speaks of fears

AN IPSWICH brothel madam who employed murdered vice girl Gemma Adams today revealed the growing fears among the red light community that another prostitute will be targeted.

The woman, who runs a licensed brothel but did not want to be identified, also believes Tania Nicol's disappearance is linked to the killing of Miss Adams.

The madam said she met the former Kesgrave High School pupil nearly two years ago when she applied for a job. She described the 25-year-old, of Blenheim Road, Ipswich, as a passive and timid woman, who kept her personal life private.

Miss Adams worked briefly at the brothel in late 2004, and had started again around a fortnight before she went missing.

The madam said: “The last time I saw her she seemed ok. She was always a very slim girl, and very quiet. She would never argue with anyone.

“She worked a couple of nights but then we heard nothing from her. I called her mobile phone a few times but I never got an answer back.

“I heard the police had found a body and I knew it had to be one of the girls. I was absolutely devastated when I heard it was Gemma who had been found.”

The madam said other vice girls were in a state of worry and bewilderment following Saturday's grim discovery of Miss Adams' body in Hintlesham.

She said: “The mood has been very quiet among the members of staff here. It's been like it since Tania went missing. Nobody is saying a lot.

“It's like the whole community are totally in shock. Because the girls went missing so close together, everyone is thinking there could be a third girl who will be next.

“It has made them all think twice, especially those from the area. The girls are frightened. They are worried he will come after them next.

“There has to be some sort of connection between Gemma and Tania's disappearance. There's a pattern, so who's to say a third girl won't go missing?”

She said there were various rumours circulating around the Suffolk sex trade as to what had happened to Miss Adams.

“Whoever has done this is an angry person,” she said. “I think it could have been someone Gemma knew for a long time. And it's someone who knows the area.”