Camera licking beggar lands Asbo

A nuisance beggar who licked CCTV cameras to obscure their view has landed an anti-social behaviour order.

Keith Farran would pester drivers for money to wash their cars and if they refused he would dance around gesticulating and licking cameras.

Appearing before Teesside magistrates, Farran, 27, of Wellington Street, Middlesbrough, was banned from Stockton town centre for six months.

The case was brought by Stockton and Middlesbrough councils.

The court heard how Farran was caught licking cameras in the Wellington Square shopping centre in Stockton. He wanted to smear the glass so police could not see him harassing motorists.

'Deceived and harassed'

He was also caught removing signs from car parks prohibiting car washers.

The order bans him from causing harassment, alarm or distress and being verbally abusive.

He is also banned from entering any car park within the Cleveland Police area without a good reason and asking for money to wash vehicles.

Chris Dunwell, anti-social behaviour officer for Stockton Council, said: "This order has been made to prevent further people being deceived and harassed by Farran.

"Numerous warnings were made regarding this man's behaviour. Our team works with other local authorities to ensure that these problems are dealt with.

"People should be allowed to visit the town centre without being harassed."