A man with 33 convictions has been fined for begging on New Year's Eve.
Eddy Harper, of Havant Road in Walthamstow, appeared at Thames Magistrates Court today charged with begging in a public place.
The 40-year-old was arrested by officers on patrol in Hoe Street, at the junction with High Street, on December 31 at around 7.45pm.
Harper was seen sitting on the floor outside The Scene development with a cap on the ground.
Prosecutor Muneeb Akram said: "When he saw police, he took the money out and put the cap on.
"He had only been released from prison that month after serving four months in jail for possession of class A drugs."
Harper decided to beg outside Cleveland Place in an "attempt to recuperate the £30 to£40 he had lost" that day.
Magistrate Salaznak said "it is a shame you have lapsed".
He has been fined £185 after pleading guilty to one count of begging in a public place.
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