A PROSTITUTE was fined £50 by magistrates yesterday for solicitation in Newport.

Suzanne Westlake, 26, of Oliphant Circle, Newport, pleaded guilty to soliciting on Albert Street on August 13 when she appeared at Caerphilly Magistrates Court yesterday.

Robert Simkins, prosecuting, told the court that 10.40pm on August 13, uniformed police officers were on patrol on Commercial Road when they turned onto Albert Street and saw a man kneeling down in an alleyway.

When the officers started to walk down the street he stood up, and the defendant was also there, said Mr Simkins.

"The officers were aware she is a prostitute," he said.

Westlake was taken to Newport Central police station where she accepted she had received street cautions in April and August for prostitution. She said she had been walking down Albert Street when a man approached her and asked if she wanted business.

He offered to pay £20 to have sex with her but no money was exchanged as the pair were interrupted by officers, the court heard.

Catherine Davey, mitigating, said Westlake's benefits had stopped and this was "her only means to try and support herself financially".

Magistrates fined her £50 and imposed a £20 victim surcharge, but said Westlake did not need to pay as she had spent a night in custody.