AN ASPIRING music producer has been sentenced to nine years in jail after pleading guilty to conspiracy to rob brothels.

Armed with a baseball bat or hammer, Amariah Linton, aged 26, of Long Lane, Bromley, stormed massage parlours in Surbiton and New Malden to steal sex workers' earnings and mobile phones.

Kingston Crown Court heard how Linton's co-defendant Daniel Fuller, of South Norwood, would pose as a client to gain entry to the working flats during an eight-month spree.

In November 2005, Linton himself was caught on CCTV ringing the doorbell of a small massage parlour in Surbiton, but was refused entry.

Linton pleaded guilty on the first day of the trial.

Defending Linton, John King said he was from a stable and supportive home, but fell in with the wrong crowd.

He said: "He was under the influence of Fuller.

"To some extent, he was too afraid of him and felt pressurised."

Judge Shani Barnes said Linton should have taken responsibility for his situation, rather than preying on vulnerable women.

She said: "There is no doubt those responsible created an atmosphere of fear among the women over many months."