A MAN has been fined for begging in Darlington town centre.

Andrew Bland was due to appear at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday after being accused of begging in Darlington on three occasions last year.

It was in breach of a public spaces protection order which is in place around the town centre and prohibits certain activities, including begging.

Read more: Almost 100 fines given out for begging in Darlington 

Bland, whose address was listed as St George’s Hall, Elmfield Street, Darlington, was charged with breaching the order between September 3 and October 17 last year, on October 2 and on October 17.

The case was proved in his absence and the 40-year-old was fined £50 for each offence – a total of £150.

He was also made the subject of a criminal behaviour order, which means he cannot “sit or loiter” in any place in the borough of Darlington for the purpose of begging or asking members of the public for money.

The order will be in force for two years.

Read more: Why this Darlington road will be closed for more than a year

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated Darlington Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054