BOLTON traffic officer Gary Hart admitted in court on Monday that he took a prostitute back to his police station for sex after picking her up in a car.

Hart, who changed his plea to guilty at the last minute, admitted soliciting June Davis from a marked police car on three occasions between April 30 and July 11 last year.

Hart, aged 34, of Sandalwood, Westhoughton, was told by a district judge at Oldham Magistrates Court that he had brought shame on the police force. He immediately resigned from the force. A second charge relating to another woman was dropped by the prosecution.

District Judge Bridget Knight heard how Hart, a married man with two children, "operated a system" driving around Bolton in uniform.

He would approach and talk to prostitutes, claiming he was doing it to gather information about drugs and drivers. The court heard that he had solicited Miss Davis three times between April and July.

On one occasion he had approached her in Weston Street, indicating that he "wanted business", but changed his mind because it was daylight.

On a second occasion he was in a police car in Harper Green Road, Farnworth, when he offered to give her a lift.

While he was driving they touched each other, and sex was discussed. Again he decided not to take matters further because it was daylight.

Nick Clark, prosecuting, revealed that on a third occasion, while on duty, Hart had spotted Miss Davis in Shiffnall Street between midnight and 1am. He approached her and agreed to pay £20 for oral sex. He took her back to Castle Street Police Station, which is unmanned at night, let her in through the front door and led her to a store room.

When she asked for her money he said he had left his wallet in the car, which he had parked around the back of the police station, and would get it later.

She then performed a sex act. He then showed her out and said he would get the money. Mr Clark added that Miss Davis later complained to police about Hart. An inquiry was launched and he was suspended on full pay.

Miss Davis showed investigators the room at the police station where she had been with Hart, and DNA forensic tests carried out on samples linked Hart with Miss Davis. When confronted with the evidence Hart, denied having any involvement.

He maintained his innocent plea until today when he admitted the offence.

Zoe Neil, defending, said that Hart was a man of previously unblemished character, who was devastated by the loss of the job he loved.

Miss Neil added that Hart was now hoping to build a new career as a haulage driver.

"He will bear for many years the shame, not only of admitting his guilt, but of having to resign his job as a police officer," she said. "The loss of his job and the shame he has to bear are considerable punishments in themselves."

Sentencing Hart to a one month driving ban, a £100 fine and ordering him to pay £2,546 prosecution costs, Judge Knight said he had dishonoured the role of a police officer.

"I can't think of anything more designed to bring shame on your uniform, and your police force.

"You took advantage of and abused your position as a police officer." Hart left court accompanied by his brother without commenting.

Miss Davis, who had attended court intending to give evidence, and had sat through the hearing, welcomed the sentence.

"It's disgusting what he's done. He's abused his position," she said.

She added that she has now given up prostitution and denied that she had complained about Hart in revenge for him not paying the £20 they had agreed.