Welsh woman, 74, banned from begging

CARDIFF, Wales, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Officials in Cardiff, Wales, said a 74-year-old woman was banned from begging after she was caught asking for money in the city center.

Cardiff police said Agripina Gheorge, who has no permanent address, was banned from begging in the city and from being in the city center between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. after she was issued a three-year anti-social behavior order, Wales Online reported Tuesday.

Gheorge could face a fine and as much as five years in jail if she is caught violating the order, police said.

Police said they received numerous complaints on multiple occasions about George approaching people on the street and near shops and asking them for money, which she said she needed to buy diapers and milk.

"This is the fourth anti-social behavior order the city center policing team have obtained in recent months as we continue to ensure that those visiting, working or living in the city center can do so free from being harassed by beggars," Sgt. Geraint White said. "Those made subject of ASBOs have been provided with opportunities to engage with services that can help but unfortunately they have continued to beg. Anti-social behavior orders give individuals an opportunity to abide by the conditions and to change their behavior."