Hemel Hempstead woman given two-year Criminal Behaviour Order for persistent begging

A woman from Hemel Hempstead has been issued with a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) following numerous complaints about her persistent begging and criminal activity in Dacorum.

Whitney Donoghue, 25, of Nash Green, has been the subject of frequent calls to police since the beginning of 2020.

Members of the public reported that she was persistently begging and being aggressive to those who refused to give her money.

Donoghue had previously been issued with a Community Protection Notice (CPN) instructing her to stop her behaviour, but the notice was subsequently breached on numerous occasions.

As a result, on Wednesday, March 17, Donoghue was convicted of failing to comply with the terms of her CPN, as well as an additional offence of common assault.

This resulted in a four-week suspended sentence for the assault, and compensation charges and a victim surcharge for breach of the CPN.

The Dacorum Community Safety Unit (CSU) subsequently applied for the CBO, which was granted at magistrates’ court on Tuesday, April 13.

The terms of the order - which lasts two years - prohibit Donoghue from approaching any member of the public in order to solicit money or goods within the borough of Dacorum.

She must not lie or encamp outside any premise in Dacorum, and she is also forbidden to enter Fareham House and Florence Longman House without written permission.

Sergeant Mike Saunders, from the Dacorum Community Safety Unit, said: “Whitney Donoghue is a persistent offender whose actions have had a detrimental effect on the local community.

“I urge anyone who is approached by her to not give her money and instead report the incident to us by calling Hertfordshire Constabulary’s non-emergency number 101, so that any breaches can be dealt with. Information can also be reported online via our website.”

You can report information online or by calling 101. Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit their website.