A beggar caught asking for money during an undercover police operation in Ipswich has been given a conditional discharge.

Kerry Samain, of Black Horse Lane, Ipswich, pleaded guilty before the town’s magistrates to begging in a public place on August 9.

Prosecutor David Bryant said the 37-year-old was caught during a police operation focussing on begging in the town.

An inspector in plain clothes walked by Samain twice as she was sitting down in Cox Lane. On both occasions she asked for any spare change.

Samain, who is homeless, said: “I’m just sorry that I’ve made this happen.”

Samain was given a six-month conditional discharge and must pay costs of £50 and £20 to the victims’ fund.