A beggar has appeared in court for the second time in two months after trying to scrounge money from passers-by in Ipswich town centre.

Terrie Forrest, of Bramford Road, Ipswich, has now been convicted for begging on three occasions during this year.

His second conviction was at South East Suffolk Magistrates Court on October 16 where he was ordered to pay £100 in fines and costs.

Despite this, the 31-year-old was caught begging again in The Walk on November 5.

Forrest subsequently appeared before South East Suffolk Magistrates Court where he was given a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £15 to the victims’ fund after admitting begging in a public place.

During his court appearance in October Ipswich magistrates heard Forrest, then of Stoke Street, Ipswich, had been seen by a police officer asking people for money near The Walk on two occasions while sitting on a sleeping bag.

The first time it happened was outside Barclay’s Bank. The second time it was in the doorway of a disused shop.

He was asked to leave the area on both occasions and warned he would be arrested if he continued asking for cash.

Prosecutor David Bryant said at 2.55pm on September 26 the officer was patrolling through The Walk when he saw Forrest sitting in a doorway on a sleeping bag speaking to passers-by.

Forrest was then arrested on suspicion of begging, which he later pleaded guilty to.

The court was told that earlier in the day an Ipswich Central town ranger had also heard Forrest trying to scrounge cash from people.

Mr Bryant said when Forrest saw the ranger he moved away, but then started begging again.

District Judge Celia Dawson fined Forrest £25, ordered him to pay £25 to the victims’ fund and told him to pay £50 towards prosecution costs.

Forrest was also convicted of begging in March this year.