A Romanian who was caught begging by Southwark Bridge was released after spending a night in custody.
Undercover police officers saw Mercel Nechita, 27, ‘thrusting his hand out’ asking for money from passers-by on January 29.
He admitted one count of begging in a public place when he appeared at Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court last Friday.
His defending solicitor said Nechita accepts full responsibility for what happened. “He informs me he came to the UK expecting work,” he said.
“He can borrow money to go back to Romania.”
The magistrate fined Nechita, of £50, but deemed it paid as he had already spent a night in a police cell.