Lincoln Beggar Banned from City Streets Following Conviction
After routinely begging outside a McDonald's on Lincoln High Street, James Chambers, a 30-year-old beggar without a fixed address, has been legally banned from begging on the city's streets. The court got to know that Chambers, through begging, made up to £60 daily and accepted money, food, and goods from passersby in different areas of the city.
History of Offences
Chambers was handed a conviction for 13 incidences of begging and one case of public order offence committed since February 2023. On Friday, September 15, these convictions were confirmed in a hearing at the Lincoln Magistrates' Court.
Legal Punishments
The punishments set for Chambers include a 12-month conditional release and a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO). With the CBO, there are now established restrictions on his activities to guarantee public safety. The order specifically prohibits him from sitting or positioning himself to collect money or goods in Lincoln city or approaching anyone to ask for goods or money within the same city boundary.
"We do everything we can to work with support agencies like housing, addiction charities and mental health services to reduce offending by individuals while ensuring we protect the public from any harm they might cause. We live and work in this community as well, and making the city centre a safe and enjoyable place to visit matters to us and our families. Hopefully, people visiting and working in Lincoln can now feel a little more relaxed that they won’t be approached as Chambers’ begging is going to reduce significantly. If he does beg in the city centre again, this will be a breach of his court order," said Lincoln Inspector Steve Parker.
Supportive Measures
The Lincoln Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team, City of Lincoln Council, and a local anti-social behaviour officer have put in nine months of effort offering support, issuing warning letters, community protection notices, and collecting necessary evidence for a positive court outcome. A Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), is wielded against serious and chronic anti-social persons. A breach of a CBO is a criminal act that can lead to imprisonment. For severe offences, this penalty could last up to five years.