A street beggar has been jailed after repeatedly breaching an order banning him from a high street.

Ian Grist, of Kent Road, Sheerness, was slapped with the ban after persistently asking people for money and behaving anti-socially in the town.

The 64-year-old repeatedly breached a criminal behaviour order first imposed on him through the courts in October.

It had banned him from entering the High Street for three years and for asking any unknown person for money.

Grist was reported by police to be behaving in an anti-social manner which was "negatively affecting" the quality of life of residents in the nearby area.

In April last year he was issued with a community protection notice (CPN) and given an opportunity to address his behaviour but failed to do so.

After ignoring the notice he was subsequently arrested. Grist failed to appear in court in September and a warrant was authorised for his arrest.

"He received several warnings but chose to disregard an order from the court that required him to moderate his behaviour..."

Officers tracked him down and brought him to Medway Magistrates' Court where he was found guilty of breaching the CPN, fined £80 and handed a criminal behaviour order banning him from the town.

But last week he was spotted in the area again and arrested.

Grist appeared before Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on Saturday where he was sentenced to 84 days in prison after he ignored the restrictions which were in place.

Inspector Paul Stoner, of the Swale community safety unit, said: "Grist’s antisocial actions caused concern to business owners and intimidated some residents and visitors to the town.

"He received several warnings but chose to disregard an order from the court that required him to moderate his behaviour.

"It is hoped a prison sentence will assist him to reconsider his future conduct."