A CHRONIC drinker begged from commuters and tourists at York Railway Station because he owes £1,675 in court penalties, York magistrates heard.

Police warned Raymond John Warren about his behaviour when they saw him begging at the station just before 9pm on July 31, said Melanie Ibbotson, prosecuting. Ten minutes later, they caught him begging again.

Warren, 58, was also begging near the cholera victims’ burial ground opposite the station on August 16 just before 4pm when the area was busy with tourists and commuters.

For him, Craig Robertson said he was a chronic drinker who has been homeless for much of his life.

“He has a significant amount of money owing to the court,” he said. “As a result, he doesn’t get much money, and as a result of that, he begs.”

Warren’s fines and other penalties are being taken from his Universal Credit benefits before he receives them and currently stand at £1,675.05, the justices’ clerk said.

Warren, of the Arc Light Centre, pleaded guilty to two charges of begging and was fined £40 with a statutory £30 surcharge.

He has a long record generally for drink-related offences.