Ship Girl Cost '$80 A Night’ (Press, 15 March 1977)

A 19-year-old woman, Winifred Hoeta, appeared in court after being discovered semi-clad on a ship in Lyttelton. The court was informed that she had been charging up to $80 for sexual services. Senior Sergeant R. Cook revealed that the police had been monitoring the ships for a few months and had observed Hoeta boarding them multiple times. She was found in a cabin with three sailors and expressed to the police that she enjoyed life on fishing boats. Hoeta pleaded guilty to the charge of being idle and disorderly at the Magistrate's Court presided over by Mr H. J. Evans, S.M. Another girl was also facing a similar charge in the Children and Young Persons Court related to the same incident. Hoeta explained to police that she had limited finances, as taxi fares into Christchurch consumed most of her money. Occasionally, she admitted to borrowing money from some of her transvestite friends. She had been evicted from a residence in Lyttelton and was homeless, which contributed to her situation. Senior Sergeant Cook indicated that Hoeta had been travelling around New Zealand's coastline on and off ships for several months prior to her arrival in Christchurch. In terms of her services, Hoeta reportedly charged $30 for a quick sexual encounter and $80 for an overnight stay. Following her conviction, she was remanded in custody until 21 March 1977 for a probation report and sentencing.

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