A HAULIER has been fined £150 for picking up a prostitute.

Noelle Brockbank, prosecuting, told Teesside magistrates that working prostitute Yvonne Stewart approached Michael Walton's parked car in Borough Road, Middlesbrough, at 5.30am on August 12 and asked him if he was "looking for business".

Walton, 39, said that he was, and the woman got into the passenger seat. He then drove to a park which they entered through a gap in the fence.

Mrs Brockbank said the prostitute performed a sex act on Walton, of The Green, High Coniscliffe, near Darlington, at his request.

Jeff Taylor, defending, said Walton was a self-employed driver and owner of a light haulage distribution business. The police had seized all his vehicles and business invoices in connection with other matters.

"His vehicles are currently in the hands of the police and he cannot work," Mr Taylor told the court.

"If the police released some of his working invoices to him he would be able to get some money, but he cannot work at the moment."

Mr Taylor said Walton, who pleaded guilty to soliciting a woman from a car, had a girlfriend, but she could not support him financially.