Green’s Dictionary of Slang

a ponce, a pimp.

1938		F.D. Sharpe Sharpe of the Flying Squad 15: There are also ladies whom the Underworld calls ‘brass nails,’ and gentlemen who permit themselves to be kept by them, and these are called ‘Charlies’.
1969		S.T. Kendall Up the Frog 64: Charley Ronce (Charley).