Woman accused of running brothel in real-life Vicar of Dibley village slams ‘malicious gossip’

Beth Roulston, 45, (pictured) has been accused by neighbours in her well-heeled Somerset village of running a brothel

The woman accused of running a brothel in a real-life Vicar of Dibley village scoffed at the rumours today and said: ‘It’s malicious gossip spread by nosey neighbours.’

Mother of one Beth Roulston denied running a drugs and vice den in sleepy Marston Magna in Somerset and said the ‘ridiculous’ claims had been concocted by ‘people with nothing better to do’.

She said: ‘I had to pick myself off the floor from laughing at some of the outlandish claims. They are absolutely ridiculous.

‘A friend of mine sent me a link to the story and said ‘your nosy neighbours are taking the mickey aren’t they?!’

‘Initially I was really angry but then I processed it and saw the funny side of it.

‘The upshot is I just find it really amusing. What on Earth do these neighbours think happens in here? Take a look yourself, where is this long line of men queuing up for my services?

The tiny village – mentioned in the Doomsday Book and novel The English Patient – does not even have a shop and the local pub only opens for six hours a day. 

A neighbour told the parish council meeting that Ms Roulston, a former Royal Navy Engineer, has been selling sex from her one bedroom bungalow (pictured) in the village 

The picturesque village of Marston Magna - mentioned in the Doomsday Book and novel The English Patient - does not even have a shop and the local pub only opens for six hours a day

The picturesque village of Marston Magna – mentioned in the Doomsday Book and novel The English Patient – does not even have a shop and the local pub only opens for six hours a day

Ms Roulston, a mum of one, denied running a drugs and vice den in sleepy Marston Magna and said the 'ridiculous'

The fun-loving blonde (pictured) said that the claims had been concocted by 'people with nothing better to do'

Ms Roulston, a mum of one, denied running a drugs and vice den in sleepy Marston Magna and said the ‘ridiculous’ claims had been concocted by ‘people with nothing better to do’

Yet since last summer, among the thatched cottages and 14th century Church of St Mary, a house of ill repute has been open for business, according to whispers among its 500-strong population.

Details of the scandal emerged publicly at a recent parish council meeting – which had been due to discuss unsafe manholes and the state of paths.

Villagers have since reported that over the last six months they have seen men of all ages turning up at a bungalow throughout the day, some carrying bouquets of flowers and others spraying themselves liberally with deodorant on the doorstep. 

But the woman at the centre of the rumours, Ms Roulston, a 45-year-old former Royal Navy aircraft engineer, honoured for her service during the Balkans war who has met the Duchess of Kent was taken aback at the suggestion.

Speaking from her one-bedroom bungalow she shares with her cat, Ms Roulston said:  ‘It’s nothing but malicious gossip by people who have nothing better to do. They’re bullies to be honest.

‘Some of the neighbours don’t seem to like me for whatever reason and haven’t been shy letting me know.

‘It feels like they watch my every move, seeing who I’m with and what I’m doing.

‘Yes I do have men back, but I used to be in the Royal Navy, most of my friends are male.

‘Some of those I bring back I’ve been seeing but there’s nothing illegal about that and to suggest I’m running a brothel is twisted.

‘And drugs! Apparently I’m also in to them. Look around, where are the drugs paraphernalia? Where is the smell of weed?

‘There isn’t any of that because it’s just not true.

‘It’s a case of people with too much time on their hands in a tiny place where nothing ever happens having to invent something worth talking about!’

But the peace in the rural idyll of the Somerset village, with just 500 people living there, has been shattered by rumours that a house of ill repute has been operating in the village

But the peace in the rural idyll of the Somerset village, with just 500 people living there, has been shattered by rumours that a house of ill repute has been operating in the village

Residents living near St Mary's Church in the village of Marston Magna (pictured) say they have seen men coming and going from Ms Roulston's house carrying flowers and deodorant

Residents living near St Mary’s Church in the village of Marston Magna (pictured) say they have seen men coming and going from Ms Roulston’s house carrying flowers and deodorant

Ms Roulston, originally from Kent, said she moved to the property, which is located in a quiet close with a communal garden, in 2012 after the deaths of her sister and parents to cancer.

Sitting down on a couch cluttered with cushions she points to pictures of her 21-year-old daughter on the wall and talks proudly of how she went to a nearby boarding school and is training to be an accountant.

Returning to the subject of her neighbours, she said she hoped the move would be a new start but instead found some residents unwilling to accept her into their fold.

The blonde, who doesn’t work because she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, added: ‘The reports I’ve read over the last couple of days describe Marston Magna as a ‘Vicar of Dibley’ village but that doesn’t ring true because the village in that show had a community.

‘I don’t see that here. Some people are nice and I’ve got a lot of time for them because I can enjoy conversations with them but a lot of others aren’t and often sneer at me.

‘I came to live here as a single woman, to move on from a terrible time in my life after losing my parents and sister, but I haven’t found the solace I’d hoped for.

Ms Roulston (pictured) says the rumours have been spread by bullies who haven't liked her since she moved to the village five years ago from Kent after her parents and sister died

Ms Roulston (pictured) says the rumours have been spread by bullies who haven’t liked her since she moved to the village five years ago from Kent after her parents and sister died

The minutes of the parish council meeting allege that Ms Roulston's property is a suspected brothel and drugs den, but the former Royal Navy Engineer laughs off the fanciful suggestion

The minutes of the parish council meeting allege that Ms Roulston’s property is a suspected brothel and drugs den, but the former Royal Navy Engineer laughs off the fanciful suggestion

‘The neighbours can think what they want. I’m good person and I don’t deserve to be treated in this way.’

Officers from Avon and Somerset Police have spoken to Ms Roulston and she has denied the allegations to them.

A force spokesman said: ‘Police are aware of reports of anti-social behaviour issues at an address in West End, Marston Magna, and are working with the housing provider to find a resolution.

‘Officers were made aware of the complaints in August and since then have delivered a questionnaire to residents asking for details of any ASB they have witnessed, contacted the housing provider and carried out regular patrols of the area.’

The claims made in the parish meeting were first reported in the local village newsletter, which wrote: ‘A resident….raised the issue of a suspected brothel/drugs den in the area. They have contacted the police who have visited several times.

The report claimed that a woman in her 40s, who has lived there for a few years, had recently become ‘very busy’.

It noted ‘strange men’ of all ages – from older businessmen in suits to younger men is work wear – are seen going to and from the alleged brothel on a daily basis, some carrying flowers and deodorant.

 Officers from Avon and Somerset Police who operate in the tranquil village (pictured) have been to Ms Roulston's property following complaints, but she has denied the claims to them

 Officers from Avon and Somerset Police who operate in the tranquil village (pictured) have been to Ms Roulston’s property following complaints, but she has denied the claims to them

 Some locals who frequent The Marston Inn (pictured) see the funny side to the claims. One said: 'We haven't even got a shop - you can't buy a pint of milk or a loaf of bread. But now apparently you can pay for sex.'

 Some locals who frequent The Marston Inn (pictured) see the funny side to the claims. One said: ‘We haven’t even got a shop – you can’t buy a pint of milk or a loaf of bread. But now apparently you can pay for sex.’

Some locals have seen the funny side. One said: ‘We haven’t even got a shop – you can’t buy a pint of milk or a loaf of bread. But now apparently you can pay for sex.’

However a 26-year-old mum-of-three said it has made her want to move, saying: ‘It started get really bad in the summer. We always see people going in and out.

‘My children ask me ‘why has she got so many boyfriends?’ and what is going on. As soon as one man goes, another one comes

‘They cross each other on the path on their way in and out. I’ve seen some men take flowers and gifts with them. Some of them are really young but some are in their 60s.’

Mum-of-four Michelle Hackett, 42, added: ‘We often see men going in and out.. And they are all different. There’s loads of them.

Ms Roulston invited MailOnline into her home to prove to her ‘nosey neighbours’ that their claims about her behaviour are false and says her male friends are from her time in the Navy

During her time in the Navy, Ms Roulston met the Duchess of Kent (pictured). Now unable to work, she says a number of her male visitors are former colleagues and are just friends

During her time in the Navy, Ms Roulston met the Duchess of Kent (pictured). Now unable to work, she says a number of her male visitors are former colleagues and are just friends

The mother of an adult daughter denied that her one bedroom bungalow (pictured) is a drugs den, adding: ‘Drugs! Apparently I’m also in to them. Look around, where are the drugs paraphernalia? Where is the smell of weed?’

I’ve even seen some men spray deodorant on before going in.’

Yarlington, the housing association which owns Ms Roulston’s bungalow said they are investigating the allegations alongside the police.

A spokesman said: ‘Yarlington does not tolerate criminal activity in its properties whatsoever.

‘As these alleged activities are of a criminal nature, the investigation is being led by the police and we are working closely with them to help with their investigations

‘We are keen to hear from members of the community if they have any concerns, alternatively they can contact Crimestoppers to report any information anonymously.’

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