Beggar on benefit jailed for fraud

A 53-year-old man has been convicted of fraud for begging for food and shelter while on a benefit.

Hastings beggar Frank Lovich is no stranger to the city’s streets, or to the local court, but usually it involves low-level nuisance offending. He has clocked up close to 300 such convictions since 1980.

On Monday, in Hastings District Court, he pleaded guilty to 16 more, including a first for him of fraud.

He was convicted under Section 15 of the Summary Offences Act, which states that offenders can be jailed for up to three months or fined up to $1000 if they solicit, gather, or collects alms, subscriptions, or contributions by any false pretence.

Lovich’s fraud occurred on November 16 last year. He went to the Bay City Plaza mall, despite having a bail condition barring him from going there.

He sat holding a sign begging for money for food and shelter and, according to a police summary of facts, he was purporting to be homeless. ‘‘The defendant is paid $380 per week by Winz and has a home in Hastings,’’ the summary said.

Lovich managed to collect a few dollars before he was approached by a member of the public who knew his pretence. Lovich became abusive and stormed off. Police found him soon after and arrested him.

Lovich admitted the case facts and said Winz did not give him enough money.

His other offending included trespassing on another mall, wilful damage, resisting arrest and disorderly behaviour.

Lovich appeared via video link from Hawke’s Bay Prison.

His lawyer, Anthony Willis, told Judge Bridget Mackintosh that Lovich sought a sentence of four months’ prison, adding that he had effectively served it as he has been in custody for the past three.

The judge said that was too light a sentence for the offending and nine months was more appropriate. Lovich accepted that and pleaded guilty. He is to reappear for sentencing in April.

Sergeant Cameron Donnison said Lovich had a long history of offending. Police were not about to start charging all beggars with fraud, and Lovich was a special case that required this approach.

Lawmakers and councils around the country have been grappling with how to deal with beggars.

Managing director of Wellington’s First Retail Group, Chris Wilkinson, said the capital was leading the way in tackling begging, which was often clouded by drug and alcohol dependency.

The group supported initiatives such as communal ‘‘wet houses’’ for homeless alcoholics and drug addicts.

Downtown Community Ministry director Stephanie McIntyre said begging was a complex phenomenon. The one-on-one act of begging and receiving was not the most effective way to deal with the problem.

‘‘The best thing is to support and encourage people to liaise with agencies – then we can get to the bottom of this complex situation.’’