Beggar ordered to compensate girl who handed over last of her pocket money to him

A beggar has been ordered to compensate a 12 year-old girl after forcing her to hand over the last 15p ( sh.2150) of her pocket money.

The frightened youngster was confronted by homeless Isa Richardson who told her she needed money because her car had broken down.

The schoolgirl, who has not been named, told police she felt intimidated by the woman and gave her all she had, just 15p.

Richardson, 46, who has a history of begging, admitted her latest offence when she appeared before magistrates in Maidstone, Kent.

The court ordered her to pay £20 to her young victim because of the stress she suffered.

Richardson, who is well known in Maidstone, was arrested on March 19 after CCTV operators saw her approaching people for cash.

She told the court that she was in a bad financial situation and felt her only options were to beg or shoplift and she deeply regretted upsetting the youngster.

Magistrates heard she owed £375 in outstanding fines and costs but had started receiving benefits and was looking for a job to start paying off the debt.

Homeless Richardson was also given a 12-month conditional discharge.

Debbie Jones, prosecuting, said she had already been convicted of similar offences twice this year