A MAN notorious for pestering shoppers for money in St Helens town centre faces jail if he is found begging anywhere in the country.

James Gaskell, 55, is not allowed to beg in England and Wales under the terms of a five-year anti-social behaviour order secured against him this week.

Gaskell, of North Road, St Helens, has notched up a long list of convictions for begging in St Helens, most often targeting shoppers for money in the town centre and at ticket kiosks in car parks.

Police and St Helens Council worked on the case with Iain Criddle, Merseyside's anti-social behaviour prosecutor and one of 12 Home Office funded prosecutors in the country who specialise in tackling yob behaviour.

Mr Criddle, who last month helped secure a similar order against a serial drunk, said: "Beggars such as Mr Gaskell can intimidate people and make people feel unsafe when going about their daily business.

"The Crown Prosecution Service will continue to work with the local authority and the police to deal effectively with anybody whose behaviour is unacceptable."

Superintendent Mike Baines said: "By working closely with the town centre ward residents and business community it was evident that Mr Gaskell's aggressive form of begging was seriously affecting the lives of people who worked in and visited the town centre."