A beggar has been given another court warning after breaking a promise to stop pestering people in Oxford.

Not jailed: Shay Monroe

Shay Monroe, 35, of no fixed abode, admitted breaching an agreement not to beg in the city centre when he appeared at Oxford County Court yesterday, Monday, April 19.

He apologised, but told the court he had needed the money.

Judge Charles Harris warned Monroe that if he broke the agreement again he would be brought back before the court and face a prison sentence.

Monroe was one of four persistent beggars served notices in September 2003 warning they could be sent to prison if they were caught pestering people in Oxford City Centre.

In December, he made an undertaking before a district judge under the Vagrancy Act promising to stop begging.

But Oxfordshire County Council brought the case back to court after being told Monroe had broken this agreement three times.

John Clargo, for the council, said Pc Paul Phillips, residential and homelessness beat officer for the city centre, had evidence that Monroe had breached the agreement on March 1, 4 and 17. Mr Clargo said: "Obviously, it is important that orders of the court are obeyed and that Mr Monroe realises that." Also as part of the ongoing crackdown on begging in the city, Annabel Egan, 34, of no fixed abode, was given a two-year antisocial behaviour order for begging in St Giles, on February 10, at Oxford Magistrates' Court on Friday.

The order means Egan, who had been a prolific beggar in Cornmarket, Queen Street and St Giles, is banned from the city centre with the boundaries being the ring road.

She is the fifth Oxford beggar to be issued with an antisocial behaviour order.

The crackdown on street begging is being carried out by Thames Valley Police, Oxford City Council and the county council.