TWO men accused of running an Internet prostitution business walked free from court last night after seven "escort girls" refused to give evidence.

The case against former police civilian worker John Docherty and fashion designer Douglas Fox, collapsed after a judge refused to allow witnesses to give evidence from behind screens at Dur-ham Crown Court.

Judge Richard Lowden agreed to a request for the witnesses, seven women the prosecution were to claim provided escort services, to give only pseudonyms in court.

But he ruled that they must give their evidence in open court and not from behind screens which would have further protected their identities in the witness box.

Following his ruling, prosecuting barrister Anne Richardson said all seven were contacted and only one was prepared to give evidence, and even then, only as a "hostile witness".

Miss Richardson said: "Witness summons have been made, but I'm not of the view that they should be put into effect, bearing in mind the knock-on effect for these women and their families."

She, therefore, offered no evidence and Judge Lowden returned formal "not guilty" verdicts, awarding costs to both defendants.

Mr Docherty, 28, and 39-year-old Mr Fox, both of Pavilion Terrace, Burnhope, near Stanley, County Durham, were accused of having knowingly lived, wholly or in part, from the earnings of prostitution, between September 30, 1999, and July 23 last year.

They were to deny the charges at the trial, which was scheduled to start yesterday.

Mr Fox said: "It's been a long 14 months and we're now relieved its all over."

Mr Docherty had worked for Durham Police as a finance officer at force headquarters, but he resigned when the charges arose.