Train spotting, that traditional pastime for young boys and railway buffs, seems to have been blamed for all kinds of things over the years; the anorak for one. I note today that train spotting seems to have been the cause of a maths teacher from my home town, Newport, being arrested for soliciting; I find this rather strange, don’t you?

The 43 year old teacher, when caught by police in Wolverhampton with a prostitute in his camper van, said he was a train spotter who had got lost in the red light district.

David Harries told police he had got lost after travelling to see a special locomotive at the Severn Valley Railway.

Mr Harris was observed at night by an undercover police unit sitting in his camper van which had a makeshift bed in the back, and facilities to make tea and coffee.

Officers saw a woman getting into the vehicle and Harries driving off.

Harries told the court he had travelled to the area to see a locomotive, but he had got lost and stopped to make himself a cup of tea.

He claimed the prostitute had jumped into the car and told him to drive. Thinking the girl may be in danger, Harries had driven off. He later said he did not know the young woman was a prostitute...

Yeah right: Mr Harries, I think maybe you’ve stretched the bounds of believability just a little don’t you? You’ll be telling us there really is a Santa Claus next!