Man handed shop ban over 'persistent' begging

Stephen Newcombe's ban will be in place for the next three years

A "prolific beggar" has been banned from loitering near a supermarket in Nottingham, shops and public doorways for three years.

Nottinghamshire Police said Stephen Newcombe was spotted by neighbourhood officers next to a cash machine outside Asda in Hyson Green on 20 March.

The 39-year-old, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to repeatedly begging in a public place when he appeared at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

He is now subject to a criminal behaviour order that prevents him loitering within 10m (32ft) of a cash machine, shop entrance or public doorway, and cannot enter an exclusion zone around Asda in Hyson Green.

Newcombe has also been ordered to "attend and engage in" three sessions at a substance misuse service in Nottingham.

Sgt Karl Browne, of the Radford neighbourhood policing team, said: "Newcombe has shown through his repeated actions a complete disrespect and disregard for the law.

"This is not a step we have taken lightly, but Newcombe has had plenty of opportunities to make changes to his life and to get the help he needs.

"I hope this order will finally encourage him to embrace help that will address the root causes of his offending."