A homeless man arrested for using “aggressive” tactics when begging has been banned from doing so anywhere in England and Wales.
James Philip Waxman (33), of no fixed address, was given an Anti-social Behaviour Order (ASBO) by Boston magistrates on Wednesday when he was sentenced for causing a public nuisance by begging.
It means Waxman is not allowed to beg in any public place in England and Wales indefinitely.
Reports of traders and women being stopped in The Crescent by someone begging for money were acted on by police and Waxman was arrested last December.
At the time of the reports, a spokesman for The Crescent Traders Association said: “These incidents are happening in the daytime but they are still unnerving and frightening to experience if you are on your own.”
Spalding community policing inspector Jim Tyner said: “Some people may consider begging to be harmless but we were receiving numerous calls about the aggressive and anti-social nature of Waxman’s begging.
“Poverty is not a crime and along with local charities, we have tried to support Waxman but he would not accept our help and the ASBO gives the courts increased sentencing powers.”