A PROLIFIC Worcester city centre beggar has been fined after asking an off duty PCSO for change.

Nicola Jackson, aged 38, formerly of Tallow Hill, pleaded guilty to begging in a public place at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday, November 23.

She was caught begging in Cathedral Square and Friar Street between July 5 and Friday, October 6.

The court heard that on one occasion she approached a female member of the public and said: "Have you got any spare change".

On another occasion she was said to have asked off duty PCSO Rukhsana Machin for change.

Barry Newton, defending, said Jackson said she had been begging in Worcester city for 12 years.

He added that Jackson had lost her place at St Pauls Hostel after two years for inviting a male guest into the female only area.

Magistrate Paul Vaughan commended Jackson, who he said had asked him for change in the past, for getting off drugs and her prescription for methadone.

He told Jackson to "learn the penny whistle" and to learn to busk rather than beg to avoid appearing in court again.

Magistrates fined Jackson £50 an ordered her to pay £100 court costs and a £30 victim surcharge.