Homeless man with mental health problems brought to court for begging

A homeless man with mental health problems who has been left without money for seven months has appeared in court charged with begging in Mansfield.
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Anthony Ellis, 28, admitted asking people for spare change on March 23 and 28, after he was arrested on a warrant, on Wednesday, May 15.

Michael Little, mitigating, said Ellis received a caution for begging, on November 2018, but had never been prosecuted before.

He said the police had compiled information to make a criminal behaviour order, banning Ellis from the town centre, which he said was "wholly disproportionate", and which he would contest when it comes before a judge on May 29.

"He has been without any accommodation for about seven months," said Mr Little. "His benefits were cut off because of a medical issue.

"He has only just been able to sort out identification to sort out a claim for Universal Credit."

Mansfield magistrates decided that since he had been under arrest, that would count as one day's detention.