A MAN was cleared yesterday of raping a prostitute but the judge warned him to expect jail for attacking her with a pickaxe handle.

The jury at Teesside Crown Court took more than five hours to find factory worker Paul Thornton not guilty of raping the 26-year-old heroin addict in his home.

Thornton had denied rape but pleaded guilty to an actual bodily harm assault.

Thornton,35, the father of twin boys, told the court that he hit the prostitute over the head with the pickaxe after she threatened to frame him for rape.

He said that they had consensual sex but she told police he raped her when she tried to leave because he had promised her £80 for sex, but only gave her £10.

Judge Peter Bowers told Thornton, of Berkshire Road, Norton, Stockton: "I think you had better be warned that I regard the use of the weapon very seriously and you can expect a custodial sentence."

Thornton was remanded on bail for pre-sentence reports until next month