A BEGGAR kept asking people for money despite police telling him to stop.

David Woodcock appeared before magistrates in Worcester on Thursday, charged with begging in the city on January 31.

He was also charged with failing or refusing to provide a sample for a class A drug test.

There was some confusion when 36-year-old Woodcock gave his name and address in court, as the name of his twin brother, Paul, was on the charge sheet by mistake.

Prosecutor Rhiannon Lucas told the court Woodcock had been given a community protection notice in January this year for begging.

Despite this, Woodcock, of Woodmans Place, Droitwich, had continued to beg in Worcester between January 14 and 31.

Miss Lucas told the court: “On the 31st he was seen begging in the city centre and was arrested for it.

“When at Worcester Police Station, a DIP (drugs) test was requested by the custody sergeant but he refused.”

The court heard how Woodcock has another conviction for begging in 2018, as well as owing more than £800 in court fines.

Representing Woodcock, Gary Harper said: “He is 36 years old and has had a drug problem for quite some time – he is dealing with it as best as he can.

“The community protection notice is for Droitwich, not Worcester, so he has not breached it. At the time he was on benefits but homeless and not making ends meet.

“While at the police station, he didn’t understand you have to comply with the request for the drug test.”

Woodcock pleaded guilty to both charges and chair of the magistrates, Sarah Murray, decided to give him a six-month conditional discharge in addition to ordering him to pay costs of £85 and a £21 victim surcharge.