"Aggressive beggar" jailed for spitting at Sheffield Children's Hospital staff

"Known aggressive beggar" Gavin Parkin had approached the woman on Western Bank at the city's University campus, asking her for money.

Although refusing to give him cash, the victim offered to buy him food at a nearby shop, leading to him becoming aggressive and spitting at her.

South Yorkshire Police said 38-year-old Parkin also threatened to kill a security guard who had come to help the woman.

PC Samantha Metcalfe, investigating, said: “Parkin followed her to the shop, but made more demands for money, his aggression raised concerns with security staff from the Sheffield Children’s Hospital who intervened.

“As the security guard approached to help the woman, who was a colleague at the hospital, Parkin made threats to kill him and continued to demand money.”

The force said Parkin was "known to persistently be involved with anti-social behaviour and aggressive begging in the area surrounding the hospital".

He was arrested and charged with five public order offences.

Appearing at Sheffield Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, Parkin, of no fixed address, received a three-month prison sentence and a £128 victim surcharge.