A WOMAN who claimed to be a prostitute invited into a family’s home for sex has been cleared of burglary.

Simone Powell, aged 39, was arrested following the alleged incident in Park View, Eagley, in the early hours of July 23.

At an earlier hearing, Bolton Crown Court heard how the homeowner was alleged to have awoken in the night after hearing noises.

After going downstairs he found Powell in what he claimed was the process of burgling the property.

However, Powell, of Fleet House, Bolton, told the court that she had been told she would be paid for sex by someone at the Park View property and that, after beckoning her in from the window, the homeowner had had sex with her.

Yesterday a jury retuned unanimous not guilty verdicts after just under two hours of deliberation.

However a restraining order was imposed on Powell for five years.

At the same hearing Powell was also sentenced for robbery and threatening behaviour. Colin Buckle, prosecuting, told the court that at around 6am on September 8, 2017, Powell had entered the Muzza and Sons Ltd newsagent in Blackburn Road. Powell then demanded cigarettes and, when told she was banned, grabbed the shop keeper and hit him in the face before making off with cigarettes and other items. Then on June 17, 2019, Powell was arrested after causing a disturbance at the Asda in Moss Bank Way.

Powell pleaded guilty to both offences at earlier hearings. Defending, Martin Pizzey, told the court that Powell struggled with drug addiction and schizophrenia, and was homeless.

Judge Martin Walsh jailed Powell for16 months for robbery and two months for threatening behaviour.