A BARNSLEY beggar has been barred from entering the town centre for two years after becoming the subject of the council’s first Criminal Behaviour Order.
Matthew Spencer, of Doncaster Road, faced charges for multiple violations of a community protection notice and pleaded guilty to offences committed between July 11 and September 14 this year.
Barnsley Magistrates’ Court imposed a £20 fine and an £8 victim surcharge.
Under the order, Spencer is barred from entering the town centre, with limited exceptions to visit essential locations.
He is also forbidden from engaging in activities that give the impression of begging.
The council's Safer Communities team sought the order arguing that Mr Spencer's actions caused or were likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress to the public.
The court accepted those comments and issued the order to prevent Mr Spencer from repeating such behaviour.
Coun. Wendy Cain, Cabinet Spokesperson for Public Health and Communities, said: "I would like to thank our Safer Communities team for their hard work in partnership with South Yorkshire Police and the public to ensure our borough continues to be a safe place for our residents and visitors.
“There’s no place for anti-social behaviour in Barnsley and we will continue working with our partners to keep people safe in their neighbourhoods or while out and about enjoying our thriving town centre and villages.”
