TWO men who ran a website allowing prostitutes to advertise on the Internet have been handed 12-month suspended jail sentences.

Colin Dale, 51, and Brian Sullivan, 57, were users of prostitutes who began the Boro Working Girls website as a hobby.

But they then agreed that money could be made from the venture, which was eventually smashed by police.

Last night, Cleveland Police warned that anyone seeking to profit from prostitution would be pursued.

Ian Skelt, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court that an investigation by Cleveland Police resulted in Dale and Sullivan being arrested in July last year when computers were seized from their homes.

Both admitted involvement with prostitutes and being managers of the site, but initially denied profiting from it.

The website listed prostitutes' telephone numbers, sex services, charges and gave reviews of their performances.

Dale, of Southfield Crescent, Norton, Teesside, and Sullivan, whose address was given as Raleigh Road, Stockton, but who is now thought to live in Sunderland, admitted a joint charge of conspiracy to live off the earnings of prostitution. Their sentence was suspended for two years.

Toby Hedworth, in mitigation for Sullivan, said one prostitute had been perfectly happy to avail herself of the free service.

The website was being run initially as a non-profit making venture, but there was an agreement eventually to see if there could be some "limited financial benefit" from it.

He said: "There are many other websites of this nature running in Middlesbrough and elsewhere that are not being prosecuted."

Mr Hedworth said Sullivan was of good character, adding: "Some of his attitudes have been out of sync with proper thinking."

Rod Hunt, in mitigation for Dale, said a number of prostitutes confirmed they did not gain financially from advertising on the website.

He said like-minded enthusiasts had been able to get in touch via the website, which was treated like a hobby.

He said Mr Dale had learnt a very hard lesson.

He said: "He realises that his lifestyle would not meet with the moral approval of the public."

Judge Anthony Briggs said: "It was quite plain that both of you agreed that you were going to make money from it."

A statement from Cleveland Police said: "We have always taken robust action against men who cruise the streets of the area looking for sex.

"Prostitution is a blight on local communities and those who promote it also will be targeted wherever possible."