A man who claimed he was 'mentoring' a prostitute to get her off drugs has been found guilty of kerb crawling.

Antony Joy, 54, of Badminton Road in Downend, had denied the charge when he appeared before Bristol Magistrates' Court yesterday.

But District Judge David Parsons did not buy the story. He convicted Joy and disqualified him from driving for eight weeks, telling him to pay fines totalling £365.

Saed Jamal, prosecuting, told the court that Joy, who manufactures skylights, was stopped by police on April 8 after they saw him pick up Leanne Hawkesford in Fishponds Road in Eastville at about 9.45pm.

She got into his car and he drove onto Stapleton Road and into a cul-de-sac called Belmont Street, which has a park at the end which police say is known to be used by sex workers and drug addicts.

Ms Jamal said: "The police followed in an undercover car and as the car pulled up behind the defendant's car Miss Hawkesford got out and walked off. The car did a three point turn but police managed to stop the defendant from driving off."

PCs James Hambly and Bethan Davies, in the unmarked car, were working as part of a police campaign against kerb crawlers called Operation Boss.

Joy, who is married with children and had been cautioned for soliciting a prostitute in 2005, represented himself in court. He said he had first met Miss Hawkesford about three years ago and had since been trying to help her give up crack cocaine.

He told the judge he had seen her about 10 times, taking her for a drink or some food, but had never engaged in any sexual activity with her.

Joy said: "One of the main reasons I tried to help her was that I have close friends who have a son with a drug habit, and I also have a son who had a habit of smoking cannabis.

"I thought maybe I could make a difference. All that has happened is that I have got into trouble for trying to do the right thing."

On the night he was stopped by police he said he was driving home from visiting a friend and was shocked to see Miss Hawkesford "touting for trade" on the street, as he had thought she was clean and no longer needed to work as a prostitute. He said he had picked her up to take her home, and said he believed she lived in Belmont Street.

Three other men appeared at the same court yesterday on unconnected charges relating to kerb crawling.

Shaho Abdulkadir, 30, of Tudor Road, Easton, pleaded guilty to soliciting a prostitute on the corner of Fishponds Road and Boswell Street on May 28. He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on July 9.

Jean-Jaques Biyiha, 47, of Argyle Street, Eastville is charged with soliciting a prostitute in Brunswick Square on May 12. He entered no plea and was unconditionally bailed until June 11.

Jeremy Charles, 48, of Cwmbran, was cleared of soliciting a prostitute at East Park, Eastville, after Judge Parsons ruled that there was had insufficient evidence against him.