Prolific aggressive beggar jailed after breaching Northamptonshire-wide anti-social behaviour order

Mark Weems, 51, was sentenced to 52 weeks in prison after admitting multiple breaches of a criminal behaviour order and possession of a Class B drug, Northamptonshire Police said.

The order, granted by Northampton Magistrates' Court on May 7, was obtained by Northamptonshire Police to tackle persistent anti-social behaviour and aggressive begging.

Criminal behaviour orders are designed to address the most serious and persistent anti-social offenders and can impose a range of restrictions to protect communities.

A police spokesperson said under the terms of his order, Weems was prohibited from approaching people for money, food or other goods in any public place across Northamptonshire. He was also banned from entering premises from which he had been excluded and was required to leave any premises when asked to do so by staff or authorised persons.

Police said the restrictions were put in place following repeated complaints about his behaviour and its impact on members of the public, the spokesperson added.

On June 2, officers arrested Weems after receiving reports that he had breached the order on several occasions. Members of the public reported seeing him approaching people and asking for money despite the court-imposed restrictions, the spokesperson said. During the arrest, officers also found amphetamine concealed in his sock.

Weems was subsequently charged with four breaches of the criminal behaviour order and one count of possession of a Class B drug, the spokesperson added. He appeared before Northampton Magistrates' Court on June 3, where he pleaded guilty to all five offences. In addition to the prison sentence, he was ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £187 victim surcharge.

The criminal behaviour order was originally secured following numerous complaints received by the Corby Neighbourhood Policing Team about aggressive begging and anti-social behaviour in Corby town centre. As part of the order, Weems was also banned from entering the town centre and Willow Place Shopping Centre, police said.

PC Holly Campbell, of Corby Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Mark Weems is a prolific aggressive beggar, usually targeting the most vulnerable members of our community, and his persistent anti-social behaviour has had a detrimental impact on the daily lives of those who work or come to visit the town.

“We have exhausted all other avenues to try and intervene with his behaviour, and we hope this custodial sentence will not only provide a respite for the community from Weems but also gives him the opportunity to get the support he needs to stop his offending.”