[A] Carlisle man has appeared in court charged with four-offences of begging in the city.
Kevin James John Bigg, 33, told magistrates in Carlisle that he was “living on the streets and is now been punished for been homeless” he’s had no-help from anyone, including the City Council to find accommodation.
Bigg pleaded guilty to begging or gathering alms contrary to section 3, under the 1824 Vagrancy Act.
The court was told on September 29; October 16 and 18, Bigg was seen by a police officer sitting on the steps of the Citadel, English Street, with a sleeping bag, blanket or backpack and told not to loiter or beg, the court was told he was given a map of the city by the officer and told he could not beg or loiter in any of the areas of the map.
Bigg was found on October 20 again in a public place street, court or passage on Hardwick Circus, once again he was seen to beg.
He told the court he was not-begging, one child threw two one-pound-coins into his sleeping bag near the Citadel, but he did not ask for any money.
“He has been brought to court because he is homeless he said and feels he is being punished and victimised,” he went on to say he was told he is not a priority-case for accommodation, “it’s a bit of a joke I haven’t committed a crime I’m just homeless.”
Magistrates sentenced him to a six-month conditional discharge with court costs of £85 and a victims surcharge of £20.
