Chester beggar punished for asking for spare change

Oct 13 2008 by Laurie Stocks-Moore, Chester Chronicle

A BEGGAR was kept behind bars for the weekend after being caught asking for spare change.

Shaun David Anderson, 21, of no fixed address, was spotted by a police officer asking a woman for money while sitting in Bell Tower Walk in Chester city centre.

Anderson was arrested and taken into custody at the time of the offence - 4.20pm on Saturday (October 11).

On Monday, Chester Magistrates Court heard Anderson had 14 previous convictions and was last before the court on September 29 for being drunk and disorderly in public.

Peter Bagby, defending, said: “This is not aggressive begging, it was simply asking people for spare change.”

Chair of the bench Mary Plevin said: “This is inappropriate behaviour. You can’t keep sitting on the floor asking people for money.

“It’s not to be done. Don’t do it again.”

She imposed a £50 fine and a £15 victim’s surcharge but took the time he had served in lieu of payment.