A BEGGAR who lives in a Somerford flat has been jailed for a series of offences.

As reported in the Daily Echo, Lee Keveren was caught begging in Christchurch High Street four times in July. A court heard he lives in a property in Amethyst Road.

He admitted a series of charges in September and was given unconditional bail so he could be considered for a drug rehabilitation requirement.

However, when the case was listed at Poole Magistrates' Court the following month, Keveren, 46, failed to appear. Magistrates were then due to sentence the defendant on Thursday, November 22. Once again, Keveren didn't go to court, and a warrant for his arrest was issued.

On January 16, he was finally brought before magistrates and sentenced to three months in prison for one count of possessing a knife in the High Street, four of begging outside Bookends and two of failing to surrender to custody.

The court will consider an application to impose a criminal behaviour order on Keveren next month.