A professional beggar who is thought to make £50,000 a year has been jailed for two months for breaching an ASBO which banned him from scrounging on the streets.
Simon Wright, 37, was twice seen begging at central London tourist attractions with a cap on the floor and a handwritten sign asking for money.
He also left his dog unmuzzled on both occasions, violating an anti-social behaviour order he was handed by Wimbledon Magistrates on May 14.
Wright, who last breached his ASBO in July when he was twice caught begging in London’s West End, was again seen asking for handouts on August 30 and September 10.
He was first seen begging at Marble Arch before being caught outside the Natural History Museum less than two weeks later, Hammersmith Magistrates’ Court heard.
Wright, who lives in a £400,000 council flat in Fulham, had previously appeared at the same court for begging outside Putney Bridge Station and then outside a Boots store in Hammersmith in June.
Wright pleaded guilty to two charges of breaching his ASBO.
Handing Wright an eight-week prison sentence, lead magistrate Sarah Dale said: “Given your history of breaching anti-social behaviour orders and previous court orders, only a custodial sentence is appropriate.”
His ASBO conditions, which include a ban on begging in London and entering Putney, last until May 2015.
