A HOMELESS man who was arrested for begging said he had ‘no choice’, but the CEO of a shelter says support is available to those who need it.

Ian Cunningham has previously stayed at St Pauls Hostel but currently has no fixed address. He pleaded guilty on Thursday to begging in Worcester.

Cunningham, defending himself said: “It’s a daily routine, I’m homeless, I’ve not got very much money. I don’t bother people I don’t ask. I just sit down and if they choose to pass me a bit of change, I will accept it. I don’t do it to be a nuisance.”

The 32 year old added: “I know it’s illegal, but I didn’t see that I had much choice.”

At around 10:50 am on March 20, a police officer saw Cunningham sitting on the ground in the City Arcade, High Street, Worcester. Shafquat Reaz, Prosecuting said: “In front of him was a hat containing some coins. He was taken to Worcester Police Station and arrested.”

Cunningham said he spends the money on: “Just whatever I need, a lot of normal things, essentials, just for getting by.”

Cunningham was given a conditional discharge for 6 months and fined £20.

The case was heard at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday, April 11.

Speaking on behalf of the Worcester Cares, Vulnerable People and Homeless forum, Jonathan Sutton said: “There has been an increased numbers of people on the streets (of Worcester) who appear to most members of the public to be homeless. By no means are all of these people homeless and police and homeless outreach Workers know that a number of them have accommodation. The vast majority of those who are on the streets during the day, and certainly those who remain on them at night, have significant addictions to drugs, including most visibly, alcohol. This increases their vulnerability to the criminal behaviour of other people.

Colleagues at the homeless charities, police, local authority and Worcester Bid are trying to tackle the issue of begging sensitively and put help and support at the centre - nobody wants to criminalise – but it is the case that while we are all relentless and persistent in encouraging people to get help, sometimes a person is not contemplating change. We recognise the moral dilemma members of the public face when they encounter someone on the street and hear their story. We recommend the public ask their name and perhaps, offer to buy them a drink of water or a hot drink or a snack, then point them towards Magg’s Day Centre, St Paul’s Hostel or The Hive so colleagues can help them. Alternatively make a referral using streetlink.org.uk.

There is already help available and lots of organisations, St Paul’s Hostel, Maggs Day Centre, CCP, Swanswell, Street Pastors and numerous soup or street kitchens are active in this City, so there is no good reason why Ian needs to beg for money from the public. We all want to help Ian resolve the underlying issues that causes him to be begging on the street.”