Rebecca Connelly, 29, has been sentenced to one year in prison after ignoring a court order banning her from begging and burgling homes in Fareham and Gosport.
The homeless woman defied a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) imposed on her in 2019 and continued causing trouble in the local areas.
Connelly was prohibited from entering certain parts of Fareham town centre and was ordered not to beg for cash. However, on 12 November, she was seen begging in Victoria Street, Gosport, in breach of her CBO. Later that same day, she broke into a nearby house and stole £260 in cash.
At Portsmouth Crown Court on 10 December, Connelly admitted to the offences. She was sentenced to 10 months in prison for burglary and an additional two months for breaching her CBO, to be served consecutively.
Gosport Inspector Matt Wake commented, “Rebecca Connelly is a persistent beggar in the Fareham and Gosport areas. While we sympathise with people’s circumstances, this behaviour affects locals and can lead to more crime. CBOs are there to stop this kind of anti-social behaviour, but some just ignore the law and keep offending. If you’re affected by this or any other criminal behaviour, report it so we can act.”
Originally published by UKNIP.