A GREATER Manchester Police campaign to rid the streets of kerb crawlers has led to a Stretford man being fined £400 - and being named and shamed in the media.

Andrew Sen, aged 33, of Edge Lane, Stretford, who was also ordered to pay £40 costs, told the court: "It was a stupid thing to do."

He pleaded guilty and was one of eight men fined nearly £3,000 by the city's stipendiary magistrate Alan Berg last week.

The campaign is the first of its kind in Manchester and was welcomed by Mr Berg, who imposed fined of between £500 and £275 on the men, aged between 21 and 49, who were caught soliciting in the city last June and July.

Mr Berg said kerb crawling was a serious matter and there was a necessity for police to pursue this type of offender.

Prosecutor Elizabeth Jefferys said Sen had picked up a prostitute in the city centre and police later saw the couple engaged in a sex act.

The men came from various areas, including Stockport, Royton, Hyde and North Manchester and the stipendiary was told police intend to hold a court once a month for people who cruise around the city streets looking for sex.

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