AN ARBROATH bus driver who admitted living off the earnings of prostitutes in two Dundee flats was yesterday ordered to pay more than £114,000 compensation when he appeared at the city’s sheriff court.

Ian Rankine Cairns (49), of School Road, Arbroath, had previously admitted that between May 9, 2004, and November 9, 2005, at flats in Morgan Street and Isla Street, he knowingly lived wholly or in part on the earnings of prostitution.

Cairns owned the flats from which the prostitutes operated.

At a previous hearing Sheriff Tom Hughes had described his actions as “misguided and unacceptable.”

The case had been deferred to allow the Crown to confiscate money from Cairns under the Proceedings of Crime Act.

The court heard yesterday Cairns had earned a total of £222,176 from the operation and an investigation of his assets concluded he was worth £114,685.

He was given four months to pay that sum in compensation to the court by Sheriff MacNair yesterday.

Under the terms of the act, the Crown has the power to confiscate any other at present unknown assets Cairns may have had at the time up to a value of £222,176.

The court had previously heard Cairns thought he had done nothing wrong, according to social workers.

Sheriff Hughes told him he was particularly concerned about his attitude, saying the legislation on this matter is very clear.

At that hearing, solicitor Ross Paton said in strict terms the offence could be described as illegal and immoral.

However, on one view, he said, “It might be safer to keep a brothel rather than girls having to walk the streets as tragic events in Ipswich had shown.”

The court was told Cairns owned the flats and adverts were placed in papers by prostitutes living in them to induce clients to contact them.

Neighbours of the Morgan Street flat became suspicious and police set up a surveillance operation.

It was discovered Cairns was the owner of both flats and men who had visited said they received sexual favours for money.

When interviewed, Cairns said he was aware that for the preceding 18 months there were prostitutes working in the flats but he did not take part in any of the activities in them.

He occasionally collected rents and looked on the matter as “sound financial investment.”

Cairns received £500 per week rent from the flats and was left with the residue having paid bills such as council tax. He had bought each of the flats for £13,500.

Mr Paton said the operation was running at a loss when it came to light, and Cairns has sold off the flats to pay debts.