A 65-year-old man who ignored demands to stop begging and drinking on the streets of Folkestone has now been banned from carrying out both activities in various parts of the town centre.

Francis Vereecken, of Green Lane, Folkestone, was issued with a criminal behaviour order following an appearance at Folkestone Magistrates Court on Monday.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of failing to comply with a public spaces protection order (PSPO) which covers Folkestone and parts of Sandgate.

The PSPO - set up by Shepway District Council in 2015 - aims to tackle street drinking, rough sleeping, begging and the use of legal highs.

The order makes it an offence to continue anti-social behaviour after being warned to stop it by a police officer, a police community support officer or a council officer.

The court heard that at 4.10pm on December 31, Vereecken was found begging and drinking alcohol in Sandgate Road, Folkestone.

An hour and a half later he was found doing the same in Town Walk, Folkestone.

He breached the order again on January 6 when he was found drinking in Sandgate Road, Folkestone.

Vereecken was given a two year conditional discharge for these offences and police later successfully applied for a two year criminal behaviour order, which runs until the end of January in 2018.

Until then Vereecken must not:

• Be in possession of an open container of alcohol in any public place in East Folkestone, Folkestone Harbour, Broadmead, Cheriton, Folkestone Central, Sandgate and West Folkestone and within the city walls of Canterbury other than a licensed premises.
• Consume alcohol in any public place East Folkestone, Folkestone Harbour, Broadmead, Cheriton, Folkestone Central, Sandgate and West Folkestone and within the city walls of Canterbury other than a licensed premises.
• Beg within any of these areas.
• Sit in a public place with any container used to contain money obtained from begging.

PC John Weller, from the Folkestone Town Centre Policing Team, said: "Francis Vereecken has caused problems for the community he lives in and I am pleased that we have managed to secure this order.

"I hope he takes this as an opportunity to change his behaviour."