Man jailed for begging in Reading
Police say he was a 'prolific offender'
A man has been sentenced for breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order in Reading.
35-year-old Benjamin Taylor of Russell Street in Reading, was sentenced to 11 months and two weeks’ imprisonment at Reading Magistrates’ Court.
Over the past six months Taylor has been found begging in Reading town centre, breaching his Criminal Behaviour Order 25 times.
He was arrested and charged on 2 November.
Investigating officer, PC Vince Moore, of the Reading Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:
“This is a great result for a prolific offender with a history of begging and breaching court orders a multitude of times.
“We know that the general public want to help people they see begging on the street, but they are often using the money to fund addiction. We ask instead that people donate to local charities that can assist them in getting the professional help they need.”