In 1889, Charles Hammon ran a male brothel at No 19 Cleveland Street in London. Sexual activities with men were illegal throughout London; however, sexual activities between women were not unlawful. When the police investigated further into the brothel and found several elites of high London society, Lord Arthur Somerset, also known as the Prince of Wales, as one of the patrons. Londoners believed that the police brought no charges in response to that matter due to its embarrassment. Not only would the country be embarrassed, but the families of those caught in the scandal would have their lives changed forever. In the case of Wilde, when it was discovered that he did not deny sleeping with men and young boys in his trial, all of his writings were pulled from bookshelves. Few books were sold in pornographic stores. Many suspects had the charges against them dropped or fled the country to avoid being charged.