A POWER plant manager offered money to a schoolgirl in return for sex on his way to work because he was suffering from stress and going through a divorce, a court heard.

Anthony Morton Forster pulled up alongside a 16-yearold girl as she walked alone to school and twice asked her if she wanted to make some money before he left because she turned down his request.

Although she was “panicky and scared”, 34-year-old Forster was traced by her quick thinking in writing down his car registration number as he drove away.

Forster pleaded guilty to charges of soliciting a 16-yearold girl for sexual services at Darlington Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

Blair Martin, prosecuting, told the court that the girl was near her Darlington school when Forster pulled up alongside her.

Forster, of Hartburn Mews, Stockton, wound his window down and said: “Excuse me, do you want to make some money?”

Mr Martin said the girl was “shocked” and immediately walked off towards her school, but Forster followed her and wound the window down further.

This time Forster said: “Come on, it won’t take long.”

The girl continued to walk towards her school and told him to go away before she reported it to police.

Forster drove off but was later arrested. He told police he had been on his way to work at a power station in Heysham, near Morecambe, Lancashire, and had gone to Darlington for petrol.

He knew there was a school in the area and saw the girl, who he thought looked about 16 and was wearing uniform.

Mr Martin said: “He told police he offered her money because he wanted some response.

He just wanted someone to talk to because he was feeling flat.”

Forster added he found the girl sexually attractive although that was no excuse, and he had never done something like that before.

Mr Martin said the girl was so upset that she had to leave school early, and worried about walking to school.

Andrew Clinton, mitigating, said: “This was totally out of character from a few moments of madness. He does not try to shy away from what he has done but there are reasons why he did it that day.”

Mr Clinton said Forster was going through a divorce, stressed at work and in the process of moving.

Magistrates fined him £400 and ordered him to pay £85 costs and £15 Victim Support surcharge.