A police crackdown on kerbcrawlers in Southend has resulted in more prosecutions.

Men from as far away as Hornchurch and Braintree were caught when they approached a policewoman posing as a prostitute in Park Lane.

Four defendants appeared before a Southend magistrate on Friday charged with soliciting from a vehicle following the operation on the evenings of November 2, 4 and 5, last year.

A 53-year-old man from Hornchurch had just had an argument with his wife who suffered from depression, when he drove down to Southend and offered to share a bottle of champagne and 'a good time' with the policewoman, the court heard.

In defence, the court was told John Grove, Newman Close, was "a respectable married man", who had never been in court before and was "mortified" by what he had done.

Charles Fisher, 52, of Riverview, Chadwell St Mary, asked the policewoman for the time, drove off, and then returned a few minutes later and asked how much it was for sex.

Michael Kipling, 52, of Peacock Close, Braintree, asked the policewoman how much she charged and told her he only had £25 on him.

Paul Eastment, 33, of Rubens Close, Shoebury, who is of previous good character, was also caught during the crackdown.

All defendants were fined £200 and ordered to pay £55 costs.

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