Chan Sreynuch, the disgraced owner of a popular beauty salon whose arrest last year on suspicion of running a prostitution ring shocked her clients, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison yesterday at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

Presiding judge Te Sam Ang had initially given her four and a half years for sex trafficking, but suspended one year of the sentence.

Sreynuch, 38, known to many customers and employees as “Mom”, was the owner of Mikasa Coiffure and Beauty, a thriving salon in the capital. Her career came to an abrupt end in September when military police arrested her, claiming she was selling more than haircuts.

An investigation revealed that the moonlighting madam would lure young women – usually aspiring singers and students – into her salon with the promise of work, but the work she gave them involved wealthy businessmen and assignations at hotels.

She was arrested at Sre Leap guesthouse, along with dolled-up call girls and a bodyguard. The women were sent to a rehabilitation centre, and “Mom” to Prey Sar prison, where she spent the last six months.