UK policewoman admits advertising herself as prostitute

A British police officer caught advertising herself as an escort on the internet admitted misconduct in a public office today.

Victoria Thorne (aged 28) of Washington, Tyne and Wear, was remanded in custody after she pleaded guilty at Newcastle Crown Court.

The case against the former Northumbria Police officer was not opened, and a pre-sentence report was ordered.

She will be sentenced following the outcome of a trial of six others who appeared in the dock alongside her.

The former PC, whose dark hair was tied back in a pony tail and who wore a dark suit for the hearing, was charged with misconduct in a public office between February 2007 and August last year.

She spoke only to say “guilty” in a clear voice.

Family members in the public gallery left in tears as she was led away from the dock by a security guard.

Judge John Evans said: “You have pleaded guilty to this matter today for which you will be given appropriate credit in due course.

“In the meantime you must remain in custody.”

The six other defendants will stand trial in July.

They did not enter pleas in answer to a range of prostitution-related offences.

They were Neil Lock (aged 27), of Abbotsfield Road, Galashiels, Borders; his wife, Natalie Lock (aged 28), of the same address; Osher Marks (aged 56), of Ravenscourt Place, Gateshead; Nigel Lock (aged 59), of Crescent Road, Manchester; Alan Bartle (aged 52), of Hollinhill, Winlaton, Gateshead, and Kevin Dixon (aged 40), of Masefield Avenue, Swalwell, Gateshead.