A 30-YEAR-OLD man has been banned from begging in Blackburn town centre after magistrates imposed a criminal anti-social behaviour order.
Blackburn magistrates also banned Neil Elliot from being drunk and disorderly in public and warned him that any breaches could lead to a prison sentence of up to five years.
Elliot, of Bolton Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to begging in Northgate and admitted being in breach of a community order.
He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and made subject to the Crimbo for two years.
Damian Pickup, defending, said his client accepted the Crimbo which he hoped would help him.
"At the time of this offence he was homeless and had been for five or six weeks," said Mr Pickup.
"He has drug and alcohol problems, had no income and he was begging just to survive. He knows he needs help and he is keen to work with the probation service."
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