Magistrates confiscated three pence from a man arrested for begging by a cash machine.

Richard Joab, 35, of Tilgate Close, Brighton, had only managed to collect the small amount of change before police arrived and arrested him.

He admitted begging in Cranbourne Street, Brighton, when he appeared at Brighton Magistrates Court yesterday.

The court heard he was sitting on the ground with a cardboard notice in front of him stating he was hungry and homeless.

Andreas Serghis, defending, said Joab's benefit book had been stolen and he had to wait until he received any more benefit. He said: "He was placed in a situation where his only alternative was to beg."

Joab was fined £25. He was ordered to serve one day in prison in default of payment but as he had been held in custody overnight he was released immediately.

He was also ordered to hand over his begging money of 3p.

A street drinker denied refusing to hand over a beer can to police, saying tranquillisers simply made him too slow to react.

Michael Greenway was arrested following a crackdown by officers in Brighton and Hove on troublesome drinkers launched last month.

The police are now targeting regular haunts for drinkers and confiscating open cans of alcohol.

Brighton magistrates heard how Greenway, 29, was stopped by police on October 17 in Norfolk Square.

When officers approached a group of drinkers Greenway was seen hiding a can of beer in his coat.

He was informed he was in a prohibited area for street drinking but, despite repeated requests, he refused to hand over his can and was arrested.

The contents of the can were poured away.

James Frederick, prosecuting, said: "There is now an initiative to target antisocial behaviour in that area."

Ed Fish, defending, said Greenway, who lives at a hostel in New Steine Mews, Brighton, was an alcoholic who normally drank outside.

He suffered from a number of medical problems and took prescribed medication, including tranquillisers.

Mr Fish said: "The medication makes his reactions slower than other people. He says he simply did not have time to react and hand over the can."

Greenway was fined £20.