A policewoman who worked undercover as a receptionist in a massage parlour told a court she could earn £1,500 a week as a prostitute.

The officer gave her evidence from behind a screen under the false name of Denise Brown.

It is alleged Stephen O'Callaghan, 47, ran two brothels at 15 Waterloo Street and 37 Lower Market Street, Hove, called Top To Toe and Angels Delight. The two properties backed on to one another and the girls would work at both addresses, Hove Crown Court heard.

O'Callaghan, 47, of Waterloo Street, Hove, denies living off the proceeds of prostitution between 1997 and 1999 and removing the proceeds of criminal conduct from the jurisdiction.

Deborah Hughes, 42, of Maresfield Road, Brighton, denies a single count of helping him launder the money out of Britain in 1998.

The jury heard O'Callaghan gave callers details of the girls available at the massage parlours.

Miss Brown said: "He was obviously the boss. He was in charge of the money in the drawer that he had the key for. He was quite tactile and tried to persuade me to become a working girl, I was wearing a mini skirt and he was looking at my legs."

She said her duties included letting clients into the building and introducing them to the girls. She would then take the money from the girls and fill in a ledger. She would also make sure clients did not run over the allotted time. At the end of the day she would pay the girls and cash up. She was paid £20 cash per shift.

She said O'Callaghan tried to persuade her to work as a prostitute, saying: "Are you not interested in working on the other side? It is more money. You could take home £500 to £1,500 a week."

The court heard Deborah Hughes was responsible for banking the girls' takings. The jury heard the undercover receptionist would would answer the phone: "Good morning, Top To Toe, would you like some details of the girls we have today?"

Petina Wilson, who used the name Saffron at the parlour, told the court: "We would go into a room with the client where they had to hand over the cash.

"You would then give the money to the receptionist who would enter it into a ledger. At the end of the day the money was divvied up."

Richard Cherrill, prosecuting, said: "The girls weren't just offering massage. They were offering sex and we say O'Callaghan orchestrated the whole affair.

"We say he moved the money out of the country to avoid it being confiscated were he to be charged with living off prostitution.

"He got the money out to Spain by putting it through the account of Mrs Hughes who knew what was going on."

The trial continues.