The owners of a Gloucestershire modelling agency have been banned from running an employment business for at least 10 years following tribunal action by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR).

Dean Coles was this week banned from running or being involved with the running of an employment agency or business during a hearing at the Employment Tribunal in Bristol.

His wife Debbie Coles was banned from running, or allowing anyone to run, an employment agency from her home address.
The application was made by BERR's Employment Agency Standards (EAS) inspectorate after Mr Coles was released from prison on parole, having served part of an eight-year sentence following a conviction of rape, attempted rape and indecent assault at Bristol Crown Court in June 2003. The victims were female clients who attended the modelling agency run by Mr and Mrs Coles, Cotswold Models.

The Employment Tribunal found that Mr Coles was "unsuitable" to be involved in the running of an agency due to the serious nature of the crimes he committed against his clients.

Employment relations minister Pat McFadden said: "This action proves we are committed to protecting the rights and well-being of agency workers, who are often among the most vulnerable of employees.

"Our Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate investigates all relevant complaints it receives, undertaking spot inspections on the basis of perceived risks, and targeting the minority of rogue agencies who abuse or mistreat their clients."