Begging for cash ends with fine

A HOMELESS man told to stop begging for money outside Grand Central has been fined.

Trevor Samuel Johnston was holding a handwritten sign reading, “Please help a homeless man and his dog,” with an upturned cap asking for money when police patrols found him between Duggan and Victoria Sts on June 19 this year.

Officers told him it was against the law to beg for money, and gave him a move-on direction.

Johnston, who was homeless at the time, was back the next day and was reported to police by Grand Central security, prosecutor Katherine Steele told Toowoomba Magistrates Court.

Police spoke with him about 7.20pm on June 20, and Johnston said he relied on begging to “get through”.

He’d collected about $50 in the upturned hat, and told police he was physically unable to get to the soup kitchen.

Johnston, representing himself in court, said he had recently found somewhere to live but had been homeless for three years.

He was unable to walk well due to injuries received in a car crash several years ago.

“I was just trying to get money to get something to eat,” he told Magistrate Kay Ryan.

Ms Ryan said services existed in Toowoomba to help people including the soup kitchen and Vinnies.

“We don’t see this often in court, but it is against the law,” Ms Ryan told Johnston who pleaded guilty to one count of beg for money or goods in a public place.

“I was very hungry, that’s all, and just wanted something to eat,” he replied.

Noting Johnston now had a home and was receiving Centrelink, Ms Ryan said a small fine was appropriate.

“I know you were begging for money but it is something you should not be doing,” Ms Ryan said.

He was fined $100 which was referred to the State Penalties Enforcement Registry.

A conviction was not recorded.