By Hayley Robinson

A fraudster has been jailed for 10 months after pleading guilty to a string of offences.

David Bateman, of Meadow Bank Road, Chatham, was targeted by one of Medway’s Neighbourhood Task Teams after he persistently approached people trying to get money.

He told people he had recently moved to the area and that he had a young baby and needed money to pay electricity bills. He would then give a false telephone number saying he would be in contact to pay the money back.

Bateman, 35, was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday, September 18. When he is released he will be subject to an anti-social behavior order (ASBO) for four years preventing him from begging anywhere in England and Wales.

PC Dave Crompton, from the NTT, said: "Bateman would prey on people’s good nature and was a constant problem around Chatham and other parts of Medway. We are pleased that he has been sentenced to time in prison and also that he will no longer be able to beg anywhere in the country when he is released.

"Our Task Team worked in Chatham to tackle issues of anti-social behaviour that were highlighted by residents. Since we have taken Bateman off of the streets people’s quality of life has improved. We hope that this sends a clear message to those taking part in these criminal activities that Kent Police will not tolerate this kind of behaviour."