SWINDON DRUGS HOTLINE: WORKING girl Terri Lee Pearce was handed an 18 months community rehabilitation order after admitting loitering on a Swindon street for prostitution last month.

And town magistrates heard the reason she touted herself for sex was to fund her drugs habit.

Pearce, 20, of Westbury Road, Penhill, pleaded guilty to loitering in the Manchester Road area in May.

She also admitted being in breach of a community rehabilitation order.

Prosecuting, Frank Murphy, said that when police questioned her after seeing her looking into passing cars she became abusive and was arrested.

Defending, Rob Ross said that Pearce's only other offence, apart from those of prostitution, had been one count of shoplifting.

"The probation report on her makes it fairly clear that she has had some difficulties in dealing with a drug problem," he said. "Last year she was found unsuitable for a Drug Treatment and Testing Order."

Mr Ross said that his client was an intelligent woman who had fully co-operated with the court and was anxious to deal with her drug habit once and for all.

"She has considerable motivation to do so," he added.

Magistrates told Pearce to co-operate with the probation service and drug agencies.