A BEGGAR has been banned from parts of Christchurch by magistrates.

Lee Keveren, who lives in a flat in Amethyst Road, Somerford, was caught begging in the High Street four times last July.

On January 16, The 47-year-old was 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 had been due to consider an application to impose a criminal behaviour order in February. However, he failed to attend and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

On July 9, Keveren was finally brought before the court and the order was imposed.

Under the restrictions, the defendant was told he must not act in a manner that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to any person in Christchurch.

He has also been banned from entering an area of the town bordered by Stour Road, Bargates, Millhams Street North and the River Stour, unless he's travelling through in a car or a bus.

The order is in place for two years.