Sentence reduced in Court of Appeal – R v W (controlling prostitution for gain). Ahmed Muen for the Appellant

Representation in the Court of Appeal

Ahmed Muen recently represented “W” in the Court of Appeal in a case of controlling prostitution for gain and succeeded in securing a substantial sentence reduction for his client.

Background to the Offending

Ahmed’s client was found by the sentencing Judge to have played a leading role in the prostitution of vulnerable victims in multiple towns and cities including Canterbury, Chatham, Dartford, Gillingham, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells. Some of the women were brought into the country illegally and forced into sex work to pay off family debts, including one who had no idea where she was. Other women were coerced into taking part in unsafe sexual practices such as not using protection.

Police Investigation and Sentencing

Kent Police first became aware of the criminal enterprise in 2019 following the discovery of two brothels. A complex investigation was carried out that relied heavily on the analysis of mobile phone data to match specific numbers used for marketing purposes to the offenders responsible. A total of around 50 premises were discovered.
During a subsequent search of the property officers found bank statements showing the applicant was in possession of around £430,000.
The applicant was originally sentenced at the Crown Court to 5 years and 8 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to control prostitution for gain (alongside associated counts of criminal property).

Appeal and Sentence Reduction

Following the sentencing hearing, Ahmed lodged grounds to appeal the sentence as being manifestly excessive given the circumstances of case and in particular outlining that the sentencing Judge had not given due regard to the applicant’s mitigation.

At a hearing before the Court of Appeal Criminal Division, Ahmed argued through carefully framed submissions that his client’s mitigation of being a new mother, her children’s reliance on her and the previous trauma she had suffered were not adequately reflected in sentencing. The Court of Appeal accepted those submissions and reduced the term to 4 years and 9 months’ imprisonment — a reduction of 11 months.

About the barrister

Ahmed Muen was called to the bar in 2014. He is ranked in both Chambers and Partners and Legal500.

Legal 500 2025 quotes “Ahmed is an absolute star in court” and in Legal 500 2026 quotes “Ahmed is one of the easiest barristers to work with. His advocacy is calm, collected and he has the jury listening to every word he says”.

Chambers and Partners 2026 quotes “He mastered an extremely voluminous and complex case, cross-examined witnesses with precision and dealt with various difficult legal issues with ability far beyond his year of call” and “Ahmed Muen is technical, personable and bright.“

Ahmed is instructed in highly serious and complex cases with particular emphasis in gangs and organised crime.

To instruct Ahmed, contact his clerks Ryan Bartlett or Amie Harris on 020 7404 1881.