Case against Brighton homeless man arrested after begging for 10 pence thrown out of court

Dismissal raises questions for the force, who have defended their use of a 200-year-old law to arrest people for begging

"It's welcome news that this case has been dismissed." (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

The case against a homeless man arrested after begging for just 10 pence has been thrown out of court, as Sussex police faced questions over its approach to rough sleepers, which critics say has needlessly criminalised “desperate people”.

Rough sleeper Ashley Hackett, 34, was arrested in January by a plain-clothes police officer for begging. Sussex police arrested more than 60 people on similar charges last year, in a strategy which has caused a public outcry and been challenged by Brighton’s Green Party MP, Caroline Lucas. Critics have argued that fines imposed perpetuate problems for vulnerable people.

Prosecutors this week opted to provide no evidence when Mr Hackett’s case was brought before Brighton Magistrates’ Court, arguing that it was “not in the public interest”. District Judge Teresa Szagun dismissed the case.

Mr Hackett, who according to his defence lawyer is homeless, addicted to Class A drugs and severely unwell, had previously pleaded guilty to a separate offence of refusing a drugs test in custody, and his sentence means he must now undertake rehabilitation activities. He was also ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge.

However, the dismissal of the case raises fresh questions for the force, who have defended their use of a 200-year-old law to arrest people for begging, arguing that it the measure is only used to arrest people who beg in order to fuel drug and alcohol addictions, and are not engaging with rehabilitation services.

Sussex’s Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne has defended arrests for begging on such grounds, but has raised the issue of police deploying plain-clothes officers with the force. More than 30,000 people have signed a petition calling on Sussex police to end the practice.

Responding to the decision to drop the begging case against of Mr Hackett, Brighton and Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas said: “It's welcome news that this case has been dismissed. With Government policies driving people further into poverty and insecurity, the tragedy of homelessness is continuing to rise.

“I have huge respect for the excellent work of the police and other local services in the city who work to end the scourge of homelessness, and I've seen first-hand the extraordinary difference they make - but I cannot see how criminalising desperate people for begging is helpful.”