A sex worker who was forced to move home after abusive leaflets were put through neighbours’ doors has won an apology from police for failing to treat the vendetta against her as a hate crime .
Lillie Lovesit, the legal name under which she works, fled her house in terror after the flyers with photos of her were pushed through neighbours’ doors revealing her job.
They also falsely branded her a “drug-abusing prostitute” and accused her of attracting perverts to her home near a nursery and church in Bradford, West Yorkshire.
“Please be vigilant! And let’s try to keep our children safe from witnessing this type of sordid and indecent behaviour. This is not welcome here,” the leaflets warned.
The 33-year-old graduate immediately reported the matter to police but it was only when she threatened to harm herself 48 hours later that an officer visited.
West Yorkshire Police then still took two months to investigate and refused to treat it as a hate crime.
Lillie said: “My life was in chaos. The people who did this wanted my neighbours to know about this and wanted to ruin my life.
“They did it and it worked because I didn’t go to the shops for three months.”
She added: “I run a legal business, so people shouldn’t have a problem with that because I don’t do anything wrong.
“I don’t depend on a partner or a husband for money and I work whenever I want. I am my own person and that’s what I love.”
Since complaining to police, Lillie has received an apology for the way they handled the investigation.
The force, based in Wakefield, reviewed its Crime Recording and Finalisation policy and found the policy states “offences committed against sex workers will be recorded as hate crimes.”
Now all officers will be reminded of the policy.
The letter from a senior officer reads: “Please accept my apology on behalf of West Yorkshire Police for any distress or confusion this incident has caused and if you were left feeling vulnerable as a result of any of the above highlighted issues.”
Lillie got into the sex industry two and a half years ago to fund a nursing degree and she now earns anything from £120 to £150 an hour.
She works from home but part of her job can see her going to different cities and meeting up with her clients in hotels.
She continued: “It’s the best thing I have ever done in my life.
“The men are from all walks of life and I don’t do drugs.
“I want to change opinions on what I do and if I can change one then that’s a good thing.”