A prolific beggar who had been causing a nuisance to shoppers and businesses in town centres has been banned from loitering in the streets.

Police received several complaints from the public and business owners about Lee Swift who had been approaching people across Medway.

Magistrates gave the 43-year-old a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order banning him from sitting outside any shop in the Medway Towns and remaining in the High Street in Chatham when asked to leave by police, PCSO or community safety officers.

He must also not approach any member of the public to ask for money anywhere in Medway, enter premises from which has been banned or excluded from or leaving personal belongings in any public space.

Swift was issued with the order during a court hearing on Wednesday.

If he breaches any of the conditions of the order then he could be arrested and sent to prison.

Police applied for the banning order after Swift admitted stealing £100 in cash from an ATM in Chatham after the person who withdrew the money did not realise it had been issued.

He must also serve a 12-month community order and repay money to the victim.

Chief Insp Shona Lowndes, district commander for Medway, said: "We have repeatedly tried to engage with Lee Swift over a significant period of time but he has been completely unwilling to change his ways or address his own personal issues that have led to this self-destructive cycle.

"A Criminal Behaviour Order is only ever issued as a last resort and when we can demonstrate to a court that a person’s actions are having a detrimental impact on local people, which Swift’s most certainly have been.

"The restrictions imposed on him are very strict and represent a positive outcome for the community here in Medway.

"Should Swift continue to behave in an unacceptable manner then he risks finding himself behind bars."