A Cheltenham man who pretended to be homeless and begged for cash to fund his drug habit has been served with an anti-social behaviour injunction.

Stephen Smith of Cowper Road would use props including sleeping bags and blankets to make him look like a rough sleeper to his 'pitch' outside the Coop in Montpellier.

However, the 44-year-old was in receipt of full benefits and after a complaint was made by a member of the public about him threatening them, action was taken.

The case against him was brought by Solace, a joint team of Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucestershire County Council workers and the police.

The injunction bars him from engaging on conduct that causes or is capable of causing alarm, harassment or distress to any person in Cheltenham.

It also bars him from begging in a public place or displaying anything that could be used to receive money at any time within the town.

Smith is also barred form entering a specific area of the town centre at any time.

Solace team leader, Louise Bole said: : "We have been aware of Mr Smith begging in Cheltenham for some time.

We have tried to engage with him and offer him support and help.

"He initially told us that he was homeless but checks soon revealed this to be untrue and that he had accommodation and received benefits.

"We became aware that he was using money gained from begging to fund his drug habit.

"When challenged he became abusive and refused to engage.

Mr Smith was verbally warned before a letter of concern and ultimately a final warning was issued to him in an effort to get him to stop.

"At every stage we have signposted Mr Smith to partner agencies that can support him with his drug use.

"He continued to cause issues and therefore led us with no other choice but to seek an injunction."

The injunction is in place for a year and expires on 1 April 2020. A breach of an ASBI is classed as contempt of court and punishable by an unlimited fine or two years imprisonment.

If anyone witnesses Smith breaching his injunction please contact the Solace Team on 01242 264368 or the police on 101