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

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

Walton, 39, replied in the affirmative, the prostitute got into the passenger seat of the car when they 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.

Defence solicitor Jeff Taylor said Walton was a self employed driver and owner of a light haulage distribution business.

He also said 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.