A PROLIFIC beggar has been jailed for 28 weeks after breaching his anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) three times.

Frank Brown was barred from begging in Oxford at a court hearing in January. But he breached the two-year order the day after it was made and on a further two occasions.

The 56-year-old, of no fixed address, admitted the offences at Banbury Magistrates’ Court on Thursday following the breaches in the Cowley Road area.

Alex Wrigley, antisocial behaviour investigation team manager at Oxford City Council, welcomed the sentence.

He said: “It will give respite to those business and law abiding citizens on Cowley Road that he has continued to target following the granting of his Asbo.

“I sincerely hope that he can use this opportunity to engage with support services that have been trying so hard to help him change his behaviour.”

He added: “I hope this sends a message to those aggressive beggars that indiscriminately target members of our community and visitors alike.

“Often they will use emotional blackmail and intimidation in order to extract money from by passers.

“The money is almost always used to fund drug and alcohol addiction and the money given in good faith often supports their addiction.”

Under the Asbo, Brown is banned from begging by approaching anyone in public in Oxford and sitting or lying on the ground or hanging around in any public place in Oxford within five metres of the entrance or exit of any shop, pub, or food or drink outlet.

Mr Wrigley urged people to report incidents of aggressive begging to the police via 101 or to the city council via email on saferoxford@oxford.gov.uk.

He also encouraged those wanting to help the homeless to donate to The Big Issue or Oxford Homeless Medical Fund through Oxford Homeless Pathways.