A BANNED beggar has been up before the magistrates after he was caught out breaking his ban.

Mathew William Barnett appeared for sentencing before magistrates in Hereford after he was convicted of breaching his criminal behaviour order on three occasions.

The court heard the 32-year-old had been caught begging in an area that he is banned from begging in by the order in Herefordshire on June 4.

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He was also caught drinking alcohol in Eign Gate, Hereford, which is prohibited by the order, on June 19, and called the police without reasonable excuse from a phone box in an area of Hereford he is prohibited from being in on June 21.

Barnett, of Old School Lane, Hereford, was handed an 18-month community order and must pay costs of £135 and a £114 victim surcharge.