A banned Big Issue vendor kept trying to sell copies of the magazine in Nottingham to help make a living as he struggled on Universal Credit. Matthew Mayer, of no fixed address, was witnessed posing as a vendor in the city centre on four occasions between June and August.
The 42-year-old had previously been forced to hand in his tabard after selling in places he was not allowed to, such as outside M&S and The Body Shop, Nottingham Magistrates' Court heard. Michaela Dunk, who was representing Mr Mayer at his sentencing on Friday, October 7, said he had carried on in an attempt to help with his low income.
"He only gets £240 a month from Universal Credit, clearly that doesn't last long," she said. "He used this as a way to make up his income."
