A woman who incurred the wrath of a judge when she kissed her boyfriend in the dock on Valentine’s Day has been cleared of attempted robbery.

Karla Shaw was working as a prostitute when she was alleged to have been in on a plot to mug a punter.

But she was acquitted of the charge at Maidstone Crown Court.

The 24-year-old, of Manor Road, Chatham, had previously admitted robbing Elisha Hughes of cigarettes and cash and assaulting her and is due to be sentenced tomorrow.

A jury heard Shaw was offering services to Huseyin Turkucu when a knife was held to his throat in Chatham.

The victim had picked up Shaw as he drove from Chatham to Rochester just before midnight on December 9 last year.

She agreed to have sex with him for £20 and directed Mr Turkucu to a “quiet and dark” area known for soliciting off New Cut.

As she checked cash he handed over, two men appeared by the Ford Fiesta.

The first opened the door and grabbed Mr Turkucu by his collar, demanding money. The second man then held a knife to Mr Turkucu’s throat, also demanding money.

Police happened to be patrolling the area at the time as part of an operation to guard against street prostitution and overheard his shouts for help.

Shaw, her boyfriend Samson Paine and Christopher Stanford were all arrested. Officers had to use a CS spray to restrain Paine and Stanford.

Shaw denied attempted robbery. Paine, 25, of no fixed address, and Stanford, 49, of Corporation Street, Rochester, have admitted the charge. They will be sentenced later.

Shaw claimed she told Mr Turkucu to hand over the money to Paine and Stanford because she feared what her boyfriend would do to him if he did not.

Shaw and Paine were held in contempt of court on February 14 for having a passionate kiss during an appearance.

Judge Charles Byers told them: “I hope it was worth it.” Shaw cheekily replied: “You don’t know how worth it that was. Happy Valentine’s.”

They have yet to be sentenced for the contempt offence.