80 year old Brit arrested for begging in Paphos

[Paphos Life]

Paphos police have arrested an 80 year Briton for begging in the Dimotika Bania area in Kato Paphos, the Cyprus News Agency has reported.

It said that police had received complaints about a beggar in the area. A police patrol found a man with wounds on his feet, sitting on the ground, hand outstretched asking for help.

Read the article and chat about it below...

[LouiseCastricum]

The article doesn't open?

[Kili01]

I can’t download this article as the link doesn’t seem to be working.

Dee

[Dominic]

Hang on. It's the old number at the start of the headline bug again...

[Dominic]

Fixed now. Sorry.

[Yioula]

How very sad

[Kili01]

No, but there was no photo of him so impossible to identify him. But why arrest him when he probably needs hospital treatment or at least to see a doctor?
I hope somone in Paphos will try to help him. Surely someone must know him if he has been in Paphos for a long time previously?

Dee

[EMMAFUDGE]

It may be the old chap who sometimes sings on the seafront near the Annabelle Hotel. He used to stop in our complex (Limnaria Gardens), If it is him, I hope he gets the help he needs.

[boycott]

Have anyone thought that he does not wish to have social care and medical attention and that he has chosen begging as his lifestyle?

No arrested does not mean social care and medical attention but a referral from the Police to Social services for their attention.

[Dominic]

It all depends on the beggar. A fair number make a career out of it in London.

[Kili01]

I doubt if many 80yr Old blokes would choose to beg if he had somewhere to live and enough money to feed himself. What would happen to him in i the winter, he can’t go on like a vagrant? There must be a story behind his present situation. He’s a Brit apparently, so not classed as a refugee.

Dee

[Dominic]

It all depends on the beggar. A fair number make a career out of it in London.

Last time I looked we are not in London....and exactly why arn't the "beggars" outside Lidl (other supermarkets are available) arrested..possibly this chap needs help...

You were saying begging wasn't a lifestyle choice. I was pointing out that it is in some cases. If you want to help him, go and help him. You'll then find out first hand if he is looking for help or if he's happy with his lot.

[Dominic]

Different kettle of fish Dominic - totally different breed of tourist too!

The beggars I was referring to relied on office workers rather than tourists. I'm not saying that this chap is like that. I was just refuting the suggestion that all beggars necessarily wanted substantial help (as opposed to a meal or drink).

[Dominic]

Provoking what exactly? I was just pointing out that Boycott had a valid point.

[Devil]

Another thought: perhaps the poor bugger has dementia in some form or other.

[lefkes]

If its the old chap with bad legs I have had a chat with him a couple of times. He says it gets lonely in his flat {wherever that is ] so he comes to the sea front for a bit of company and he likes to sing for people .I do not think he is doing any harm ,give him a few euros and he seems happy enough.
Lefkes.

[Dominic]

Reminds me of this chap then:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwich_Puppet_Man

I saw this guy in Norwich, and his act was truly atrocious.

[Yioula]

If it’s the chap that has bad legs and sings I think his name is Lawrence he’s somewhere in or around the Annabelle........

[lefkes]

Reminds me of this chap then:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwich_Puppet_Man

I saw this guy in Norwich, and his act was truly atrocious.

Have seen his" act" many times over the years and local people know he has raised thousands for charities.
Lefkes

[June]

Like others I know of this chap and am really pleased he's being looked after.
Have to say, mind you, his singing WAS awful