A man caught breaking an antisocial behaviour order (Asbo) by begging on the street, has avoided being sent to jail following the intervention of a policeman.

Michael Finn, 27, appeared at Oxford Magistrates' Court yesterday, expecting to go to prison for his second breach of an order which prevents him asking for money in Oxford's city centre.

But Pc Paul Phillips, who has had contact with the defendant for the last three-and-a-half years, appeared in the witness stand and asked that Finn be given another chance.

In response, the chairman of the bench, the Rev Michael Wright, who described the proceedings as "a very unusual situation", put sentencing off for six months to give Finn a chance to prove himself.

Jenny Stone, prosecuting, told the court: "The Asbo prevents Finn from begging anywhere within the Oxford ring road.

"But at 2am on July 18 officers on patrol saw him in Hythe Bridge Street holding out his hands and talking to members of the public."

Finn - who pleaded guilty to breaching the Asbo that he was given on June 28 - had already spent time in prison following another breach in August.

Julian Richards, defending, said: "He had been in stable housing until October last year when he was arrested for drugs-related offences.

"Although he was acquitted in April he had to leave his address, and while he was living on the street he has been begging so he had enough money to survive, and some was also for drug use."

Mr Richards said Finn had found housing through the English Churches Housing Group, had regular meetings with a key worker and attended weekly drugs tests.

Pc Phillips said: "Today is the best I have seen him both in terms of his physical appearance and his attitude and outlook.

"It's not easy for someone like Finn to change his lifestyle, but to his credit we have to acknowledge he has made some very big steps forward.

"It's difficult to get accommodation in Oxford these days, especially if you are on the street, and if Finn loses his by going to prison again it will be like revolving door syndrome."

Mr Wright deferred sentencing until May 1, on the condition that Finn committed no further offences, continued drug treatment and remained in permanent accommodation.