A beggar who positions himself next to bank cash machines has become the sixth to be given an antisocial behaviour order in Oxford.

Shay Monroe Shay Monroe, 35, admitted begging in Alfred Street on March 1 and in St Giles on March 17 at Oxford Magistrates' Court. District Judge Brian Loosley imposed an antisocial behaviour order (Asbo) banning Monroe from begging within the boundaries of Oxford's ring road.

He warned Monroe that if he broke the order he risked being jailed for up to five years.

Monroe, of Christchurch Buildings, Osney Lane, Oxford, made an undertaking not to beg in central Oxford at a hearing before Oxford County Court in December.

He appeared before the county court last month for breaching the undertaking, but received a warning from Judge Charles Harris not to re-offend or he could be jailed.

Pc Paul Phillips, of Oxford police, told Mr Loosley that Monroe also faced further action for breach of the county court undertaking after he was allegedly caught begging by two plain-clothes police, within the last few days.

Monroe told the court that he had taken on board the conditions of the agreement and claimed he was no longer begging.

Mr Loosely sentenced him to a 12-month conditional discharge for the offences on March 1 and 17, and imposed an Asbo.

He said: "I've concluded because of the prolific nature of your begging an order is required to protect the people in Oxford for you, particularly from you begging beside cash machines and causing harassment, alarm and distress.

"If you beg anywhere in Oxford during the next two years you will be charged with begging and breach of an Asbo. I am not as soft as the county court judge. I will hit you hard."