Weirdly, the way the law was worded in The North that is the case. Payment can be anything, drink, meal, fuel for car etc. So if you have any sort of sexual contact with anyone under any circumstances and it can be shown that you have bought her a drink or even offered her a lift in your car you are technically committing an offence.
Strangely, there are no exemptions even for long-term relationships or even if you are married. Stupid law or what?