Man Claims Prostitute ‘Was Only Helping Him Buy Tomatoes’

Metro UK ^ | Friday 26 Jul 2013

[nickcarraway]

A man who was caught with a known prostitute in his car told police she was only there to show him where to buy tomatoes – and the cash he gave her was to pay for them.

Muhammad Ikhlaq, 39, was arrested by police on suspicion of soliciting while driving through Walsall in his Nissan Micra.

However, when he was pulled over after stopping at a cash machine to withdraw £20, which he had given to the woman in the passenger’s seat, he claimed he was simply driving around looking for fruit.

PC Stacey Paterson, from Walsall police, said: ‘I’ve heard some excuses before but in the ten years that I have been a police officer I have never heard a kerb crawler covering up his crimes by claiming to be buying tomatoes.’

Ikhlaq, of New Street, Dudley, was found guilty of soliciting on Wednesbury Road, Walsall.

He was fined £400 and ordered to pay £665 in costs by Walsall Magistrates’ Court.

[SampleMan]

I know this is the UK, but can anyone explain to me how “suspicion of” can be illegal?

So if renting a car in the UK and see a woman in the rain, give her a ride, and she is a known prostitute (unknown to me), I would be guilty of this crime?

Is the same true here in the U.S.?? I presume even prostitutes interact with people for non-work purposes occasionally, yes?

[LucianOfSamasota]

What kind of girl does one get for £20?

[nickcarraway]

Isn’t “suspicion of” what they say when they are arresting you? You hear people getting arrested on suspicion of murder.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Skanky drug addicted hoes.

[bigheadfred]

tomatoes

What kind of girl does one get for £20?

saucy ones

[TontoKowalski]

I am not familiar with the ins-and-outs (so to speak) of the everyday lives of prostitutes, but I would have to say you're right.

They must have to grocery shop, visit the bank, pay the bills... perhaps even socialize with non-Johns.

Maybe it's like the whole "angles unaware" concept. You never know when the next person you meet might be a prostitute.

[nickcarraway]

You’d have to consult craigslist for that.

[nickcarraway]

You’d have to consult craigslist for that.

[MotorCityBuck]

Or 8 mile,and Telegraph Rd. LOL.

[TomGuy]

This is the key factor:

after stopping at a cash machine to withdraw £20, which he had given to the woman in the passenger’s seat,

As soon as the mention of money occurs (if it is being taped) or money changes hands, the 'act' has been contracted.

[GSWarrior]

[Joe 6-pack]

I’d think there’s a chance a saucy tomato lady might run the risk of getting Prego.

[Lazamataz]

This is the excuse I always use, too.

I always say, "She shows me tomatoes, then I show her zuccinni."

[nickcarraway]

So, when I gave a friend of mine $20, for the purpose of buying a pizza, you would claim I was guilty of soliciting a prostitute?

[Lazamataz]

So if renting a car in the UK and see a woman in the rain, give her a ride, and she is a known prostitute (unknown to me), I would be guilty of this crime? Is the same true here in the U.S.??

Yes. Seen people convicted of it.

[nickcarraway]

“Officer, recent scientific studies have shown how beneficial the Mediterranean diet is”

[Lazamataz]

I’d think there’s a chance a saucy tomato lady might run the risk of getting Prego.

[Rides_A_Red_Horse]

At twenty quid I do NOT want to see any pictures of the prostitute!

[Lazamataz]

So, when I gave a friend of mine $20, for the purpose of buying a pizza, you would claim I was guilty of soliciting a prostitute?

Pizza and sex. The oldest porn plot in the world. GUILTYGUILTYGUILTYGUILTY!