Newport Councillor Convicted of Kerb Crawling

A Newport councillor has been convicted of kerb crawling.

Christopher Paul Evans, 56, of Tregwilym Road, Rogerstone, Newport, admitted one charge of soliciting the sexual services of a prostitute when he appeared at Newport Magistrates' Court on Thursday, 6th January 2022.

Soliciting the sexual services of a prostitute is an offence under section 51A of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The maximum penalty for this offence is a fine at level 3 (currently £1,000) on summary conviction.

Magistrates heard how "a moment of madness" has already cost Evans his job and will likely cost him his position on Newport City Council.

The offence took place on the night of Saturday, 22nd May 2021, when Evans was found in the company of the woman next to the Asda store in Pill.

A police officer had been chasing another man when he approached Evans' car.

Natasha Roberts, prosecuting, outlined the circumstances: "The officer was chasing after the man on foot.

"He entered West Market Street and continued to look for the man.

"When the officer was in the middle of the road, the defendant's (Evans') car passed him and pulled up on the side of the junction.

"The officer walked up to the vehicle to check if the wanted male had been seen by the driver.

"He recognised the driver as a local councillor, having been in meetings with him."

When asked why he was in the company of the woman, Evans said he was helping her as part of his role with the Wallich homelessness charity.

However, subsequent enquiries with the charity revealed that Evans had no such role. The woman later told police that Evans had been a "punter".

Rod Young, mitigating, said his client had described events as "a moment of madness".

"The defendant is a respected member of the community," Mr Young continued.

"He has helped prostitutes and the homeless in the Pill area which ironically is how he was known to the officer."

Mr Young added: "He concedes her services were discussed but there was no sexual relations between them and no money changed hands.

"If he were not a well-known face, he wouldn't be here today.

"If he had gone through with it, we will never know.

"He has lost his job as a senior advertising manager with Newsquest and is resigned to losing his position as a councillor."

The solicitor said that Evans had received many messages of support from members of the local community. He has been claiming Universal Credit since losing his job around two months ago.

"The defendant's mental health has suffered and he was close to a breakdown," said Mr Young.

"He's a man who has never behaved in this way before."

Shijil Miah, Presiding Justice, told Evans he had been be right admit the offence and "not waste court time".

Evans was handed a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £85 towards prosecution costs and £22 surcharge.