Man fined for begging in Croydon
by Court Reporter
A schizophrenic man has admitted begging in Croydon’s George Street, after claiming a problem with his benefits left him with £220 a month to live on.
Spencer Oloro, 40, said he was hungry when he approached members of the public on Tuesday, 7th March. He said a delay in a medical assessment for benefits meant he did not have enough money for food.
He repeatedly asked people for cash, meaning they had to “go into the road to avoid him”, the prosecution at Croydon Magistrates' Court said.
Mr Oloro, of Landsdowne Road, Croydon, was arrested at the scene and remanded in custody, then appeared at court the following day to admit his offence.
His defence barrister argued that Mr Oloro had “complicated mental health problems” including schizophrenia, and despite a history of cocaine and opiate abuse, he was not planning to spend the money on drugs.
“He was living in a hostel at the time, and was asking for money to go and buy some food,” he said.
The court imposed a fine of £50, with his day in the cells taken into account.
Spencer Oloro, 40, said he was hungry when he approached members of the public on Tuesday, 7th March. He said a delay in a medical assessment for benefits meant he did not have enough money for food.
He repeatedly asked people for cash, meaning they had to “go into the road to avoid him”, the prosecution at Croydon Magistrates' Court said.
Mr Oloro, of Landsdowne Road, Croydon, was arrested at the scene and remanded in custody, then appeared at court the following day to admit his offence.
His defence barrister argued that Mr Oloro had “complicated mental health problems” including schizophrenia, and despite a history of cocaine and opiate abuse, he was not planning to spend the money on drugs.
“He was living in a hostel at the time, and was asking for money to go and buy some food,” he said.
The court imposed a fine of £50, with his day in the cells taken into account.