 A persistent beggar who was earning up to £21,000 a year has been banned from asking people for money in the street. 30-year-old James Chambers would regularly sit outside a McDonald's in Lincoln city centre, earning an estimated £420 a week tax free. Police and council officers found he would earn around £40 to £60 per day over nine months on the city's High Street and other busy areas. Kind-hearted passersby would hand over a mixture of cash, food and drink, and other goods. But Chambers, of no fixed address, has now been banned from begging. He was given a three-year criminal behaviour order (CBO) forbidding him from 'sitting on the floor or otherwise placing himself in a position to gather money'. He's also not allowed to 'approach any person and ask for money or goods' within the city of Lincoln. Chambers was convicted of 13 begging offences and one public order offence when he appeared at Lincoln magistrates court earlier this month. Alongside the CBO, he was also given a 12-month conditional discharge which could see him sent to prison for up to five years if he breaches it. Lincoln council inspector Steve Parker, said: 'We do everything we can to work with support agencies like housing, addiction charities and mental health services to reduce offending by individuals while ensuring we protect the public from any harm they might cause. 'We live and work in this community as well, and making the city centre a safe and enjoyable place to visit matters to us and our families. 'Hopefully, people visiting and working in Lincoln can now feel a little more relaxed that they won't be approached as Chambers' begging is going to reduce significantly. 'If he does beg in the city centre again, this will be a breach of his court order.' A Lincolnshire Police spokesperson added: 'We keep a continued watch of people who we have issued CBOs for, in partnership with the City of Lincoln C){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
A persistent beggar who was earning up to £21,000 a year has been banned from asking people for money in the street.
30-year-old James Chambers would regularly sit outside a McDonald’s in Lincoln city centre, earning an estimated £420 a week tax free.
Police and council officers found he would earn around £40 to £60 per day over nine months on the city’s High Street and other busy areas.
Kind-hearted passersby would hand over a mixture of cash, food and drink, and other goods.