A BEGGAR who was raking in up to ￡21,000 a year from passers-by has been banned from asking for money.

       James Chambers, 30, was making ￡420 a week, tax- free, begging for cash outside a McDonald’s.

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       James Chambers, raked in up to ￡21,000 a year, begging for cash outside a McDonald’s Credit: SWNS

       He was given food, goods and money by kind-hearted locals in the centre of Lincoln.

       But Chambers is now banned from begging after being given a three-year criminal behaviour order which prohibits him from “sitting on the floor or placing himself in a position to gather money”.

       He is also forbidden from approaching anybody to ask for money or goods within the boundaries of the city.

       Police and council officials found Chambers, of no fixed abode, had been earning up to ￡60 a day over nine months in the city centre.

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       He was convicted at Lincoln magistrates’ court of 13 begging offences and one public order offence dating back to February.

       He was also given a 12-month conditional discharge, but he could be jailed for up to five years if he breaks his CBO.

       Lincolnshire Police’s Inspector Steve Parker said: “Making the city centre a safe and enjoyable place to visit matters to us and our families.

       “Hopefully, people visiting and working in Lincoln can now feel a little more relaxed that they won’t be approached.”

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