Bristol kerb crawler gets Asbo

A kerb crawler caught picking up women for sex twice in four months has been given an anti-social behaviour order, banning him from the Bristol's red light districts.

Barry Stoker, 48, of Howard Road, Southville, claimed he was actually looking for drugs when a prostitute got into his car in Portland Square on July 23.

He pleaded guilty to soliciting a person for the purpose of prostitution from a vehicle, when he appeared at Bristol Magistrates' Court yesterday.

The court heard Stoker had a previous conviction for the same offence, from April this year.

Magistrates imposed a two-year Asbo, preventing him from driving a vehicle in four red light district areas, in and around Fishponds Road, Warwick Road, Portland and Brunswick Square and York Street, St Werburgh's.

He was also ordered to pay a fine of £125, £60 court costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Jane Cooper, prosecuting, said: "Police were on duty at 8.10pm on July 23, and witnessed a woman standing on the junction of Boswell Street and Fishponds Road. She moved towards the kerb and attempted to make eye contact with passing drivers.

"Then a red Vauxhall Astra passed by three times, the woman approached the car and got in.

"It drove to St Michael's Hill, officers approached and separated the man and woman.

"She said she was Rebecca John, and that she was expecting to do business with the defendant and get paid for it.

"She was given a street caution for loitering.

"He was arrested and charged. He said he was in the area to buy drugs, he saw the woman and remembered her from a few years ago.

"The defendant picked her up because he wanted her to take him to buy drugs.

"He said he had no intention of having sex or paying for it."

When asked if he wanted to say anything in his defence to the magistrates, Stoker said: "No, I just went to buy drugs."

The court heard if that Stoker breaches the Asbo he could go to prison for up to five years.