Beggar faked homelessness then threw sleeping bag in River Ouse

First he pretended to be homeless to scam money from people in York.

Then when beggar Roy Finch was challenged by police he threw his sleeping bag into the river.

His actions brought him to York Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard had claimed to be homeless while begging in the city centre in September 2018.

When he was approached by a police community support officer he deliberately threw a bag, book and sleeping bag into the river from Ouse Bridge.

Fined £140

Finch, 42, of Thief Lane, York, was presenting himself as homeless and had previously been warned about begging, despite having a home in a council-owned property.

At court on Tuesday (29 January) he pleaded guilty to depositing controlled waste without a permit.

Magistrates fined Mr Finch £140, including £40 for begging offences, in addition to £256 costs and a £30 court surcharge.

Cllr Jenny Brooks, executive member for housing and safer neighbourhoods, said:

• This person lied as he begged by claiming to be homeless when in fact he had a home. No one need beg in York as we can help those in need.

  To be certain that any money you wish to give goes to help those in genuine need, we have a cashless giving scheme.

  It is administered by the Two Ridings Foundation and ensures that the money given goes to those in ways that will help them into safer more stable lives.
  

People who wish to give through our cashless giving scheme are asked to give by texting the message YORK35 £ to the number 70070, indicating how much they wish to give after the £.