A KNIFEMAN who raped a teenage prostitute had dropped his wife off at bingo before driving to a red light area, a court heard yesterday.

The man haggled with the 19-year-old drug addict about her rates before she got into his car. He agreed a price and drove to an industrial estate, where they climbed into the back seat, Teesside Crown Court was told.

When she asked him for the cash first, he produced a 12in kitchen knife and held it near her face.

Deborah Sherwin, prosecuting, said: "She was terrified. Although she had heard of things happening to girls working an prostitutes, nothing had happened to her before."

The court was told that he raped her before driving her back into Middlesbrough town centre.

She went to the police with the car registration number and police found the vehicle in South Bank, with Geoffrey Chapman nearby.

Mr Chapman, 45, of Oliver Street, South Bank, admitted that he picked up the girl on February 10, after taking his wife to bingo, but denied threatening her with a knife. He denies rape.

The case continues.