Misconduct charge for PC said to be call girl

Dec 9 2008 The Journal

A POLICEWOMAN who was allegedly working as a £100-an-hour call-girl has appeared in court. Victoria Thorne allegedly entertained up to 20 clients a week after signing up to an agency called Notorious Girls.

The former constable with Northumbria Police was arrested by colleagues in August and immediately suspended.

Yesterday the 28-year-old made her first appearance at Newcastle Magistrates Court to face a single charge of misconduct in a public office.

The brunette, dressed in black trousers and a green jacket, didn’t speak during the short hearing.

She appeared in court alongside four others, all charged with offences relating to prostitution.

Neil Lock, 27, his wife Natalie Lock, 28, both of Abbotsfield Road, Galashiels; Nigel Lock, 59, of Crescent Road, Manchester, and Ushar Marks, 57, of Ravensworth Place, Gateshead are all accused of conspiracy to manage brothels for prostitution and conspiracy to control prostitutes for gain.

Neil Lock also faces a charge of procuring misconduct in a public office.

The case was adjourned until December 22 where the five will appear at Newcastle Crown Court. All were granted bail.

Neil Lock and Natalie Lock were banned from travelling south of Alnwick, in Northumberland, as part of their bail conditions.

Thorne faces allegations that she appeared in a series of provocative poses on the agency’s website under the name of Kelly.

The 28-year-old, from Washington, Tyne and Wear, was based at Houghton-le-Spring police station.

Thorne was among eight women and six men arrested by officers investigating organised prostitution and corrupt public officials across Northumbria, County Durham, Greater Manchester, Cleveland and the Scottish Borders.

She was said to have been advertising herself with around 70 other women on the website, which was allegedly run by Neil Lock and his wife Natalie.

The Notorious Girls website boasted: “We promote the finest selection of escorts throughout the North East and North West.

“Notorious Girls offer the finest value for money and exceptional professionalism. They possess natural beauty, intelligence and are very enthusiastic about their chosen career.

“Rest assured that high quality is for certain and your satisfaction is guaranteed.”

The year-long investigation was headed by Northumbria Police, but included other forces.

Also arrested in the investigation was police officer Simon Alistair Harrison, who was on a career break from the force and was living in West Yorkshire.

After serving more than four years with the police, mainly in the Newcastle command area, he then took up a career in teaching. He has accepted a caution.

A Customs worker and a civil servant were also arrested.