A laptop owner repeatedly begged members of the public for money in York city centre because he had run out of electricity, York Magistrates Court heard.

Anthony Hugh Turner, 35, of Aberforth House, Lowther Street, York, was seen begging on Skeldergate Bridge on July 28, and on the same bridge and on Finkle Street on July 30.

He pleaded guilty to three charges of begging.

He told district judge Adrian Lower he had run out of electricity because he had left his laptop computer on and needed some money to get his electricity back on.

The district judge asked him: " On what basis are you asking for money? If you can afford a computer, you can afford electricity. You are not an honest person."

He conditionally discharged Turner for six months and ordered him to pay a £15 statutory surcharge.

Turner, who was not represented, said the computer was a gift. He had not been begging for drugs. Although he had been on drugs in the past he was now off them.

However, he was suffering from depression and anxiety, lived on benefits and had "stuff going on" in his personal life.