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A desperate man convicted of begging on the streets of Canterbury has told how he can’t live on £56-a-week benefits.
Craig Bowler, 25, resorted to pleading for money from passersby, claiming there was “no other way” to feed himself and pay his bills.
But after he was spotted sitting in front of a cap in Palace Street, Canterbury, he was arrested by an officer who had previously warned him about begging.
His actions on July 10 landed him in the dock this week and with a hefty £250 court bill.
"I just want to get to the stage when I can work because at the moment I have nothing to fill my days and I don’t want to drift back to the old scene I was in" - Craig Bowler
He told the magistrates: “I’ve just moved into a council flat but trying to live on £56 benefits is a bit of a stretch when you need to buy food and pay bills and there was no other way.”
Craig escaped with a conditional discharge, but will have to pay £5 a fortnight from his benefits to cover the cost of his court appearance.
Now the former Chaucer School pupil has told the Gazette how he is determined to get his life back on track following a battle with heroin addiction that left him on the streets.
“I never knew my father and was raised by my nan in Wincheap from when I was small, because my mum was ill,” he says.
“I struggled at school because I had dyslexia and didn’t really focus enough.
“Later I went to Canterbury College and managed to get a few GSCEs, but I ended up looking after my nan a lot and then she suffered a stroke and died when I was 20.
“The house had to be sold to pay off the mortgage and debts and there was nothing left and I found myself living on the streets for about a year.
“I fell into the scene and it’s very difficult to break the drug habit. It drained me of all my energy and enthusiasm for life. It’s a horrible thing because heroin just gets hold of you and saps the life out of you.”
Craig says he received support from homelessness charity Porchlight, which found him accommodation in a hostel where he lived for three years.
He is also receiving help from the Kent Council for Addiction to break his drug habit and is on methadone as part of his treatment.
He said: “I’ve got a council flat in Long Acre Close which is great, but it’s a real struggle living on £56 a week when you have things like gas, electric, council tax arrears and the television licence to pay.
“When I begged, I could get £20 to £30 in a few hours. People were usually very kind and some would bring me food and clothing too.
“I still don’t feel well but I’m getting better and have more energy and less pain. I just want to get to the stage when I can work because at the moment I have nothing to fill my days and I don’t want to drift back to the old scene I was in.
“But I don’t drink or smoke and just need to get healthy again. I hope I might be able to do some voluntary work to get me back into it.”
Begging is illegal under the Vagrancy Act 1824 and applies in all public places.
Terry Gore, who manages the Catching Lives day centre in Station Road East, says giving money to beggars is still the personal choice of those passing by.
He said: “All I would say is that if someone has concerns on how that money would be spent, for instance on drugs or alcohol, then they should consider giving it to recognised local charities who work for the good of the homeless.
“It may be that giving someone begging food and drink instead of cash may be an alternative.”
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