A HOMELESS mother-of-two has been fined by magistrates after she was twice seen begging on the streets of Penrith town centre.

Sonya Balalau,  34, a Romanian national whose lawyer said she came to the UK to seek work and a better life for herself and her family, admitted the offence when she appeared before Carlisle’s Rickergate court.

Pam Ward, prosecuting, said her offending came to light on May 16 when the defendant was seen begging in Angel Square, Penrith. At the time, said Mrs Ward, Balalau already had a previous conviction for begging.

Mrs Ward said: “On March 16, in Penrith town centre, a female was reported to be begging by a member of the public. She was seen asking for money and methadone [a heroin substitute medication]. Police attended, spoke to the defendant, and moved her away.

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“But a short time later, after police had attended a different incident, officers returned and saw the defendant begging in Angel Square. The defendant was again asking members of the public for money.

“She had £40 on her person when she was arrested. The coins were seized by the police.”

Andrew Gurney, defending, said that the background was that Balalau had come to the UK from Romania several years ago but was abandoned by her husband. “She came to the UK with the purpose of finding work,” said the lawyer.

“She wanted to start a new life for her and her children.

“Unfortunately, it didn’t work out and she resorted to begging as a way of supporting herself while she was trying to find accommodation and a job. She denies asking for methadone; there was a misunderstanding.

“She was asking for medication for a headache.

“She doesn’t speak any English at all so I can see how this could happen. She is homeless and is having to sleep rough most nights unless she can find accommodation in a hostel. She is here today with her bag, which contains all her worldly belongings.”

Mr Gurney confirmed that the defendant had returned to Romania in 2015 but returned to the UK eight months ago. After hearing the details of the case, magistrates imposed a fine of £40 on the defendant along with a £34 victim surcharge.

The money that was seized from her by police will be forfeited, added magistrates. In response to a question from magistrates, Mr Gurney confirmed that the defendant's children are currently being cared for by their grandparents in Romania.

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