A homeless woman was today banned from begging in Oxford.

Charlotte Pauling, 21, was handed an antisocial behaviour order at Oxford Magistrates' Court after being convicted of three charges of begging.

Susan Clegg, prosecuting, said Pauling had been caught begging in the city centre by off-duty police officers in September and December 2007, as well as March 2008.

Stephen Collins, defending, said: "She tells me she left school and home at the age of 13 and she has been on the streets ever since."

Pauling had admitted one charge of begging. She was also found guilty by magistrates of two other charges she denied.

Jane Carlton-Smith, chairman of the magistrates, gave Pauling a 12-month conditional discharge for her begging offences before issuing the Asbo, which relates to the city area within the ring road, and ordering her to pay £30 costs.