A notorious beggar was fined $1,000 after being caught scrounging for cash from students from the elite English boarding school, Eton.

Eugene (Jinx) Darrell, 41, was arrested while hassling the youths from the college, attended by British Princes William and Harry, while they were on the Island as part of a cricket tour.

He appeared before Magistrates Court on Friday where he at first pleaded not guilty. However, he changed his plea on two counts of begging.

He was accused of begging for cash from the boys on Front Street, Hamilton, on Wednesday, and also faced a further charge of begging from well-known community activist Toppy Cowen on April 6.

Darrell approached Mr. Cowen at 9.45 a.m. on Queen street and asked for a dollar for coffee.

The court heard how Mr. Cowen declined to hand over cash and entered the public bathrooms at Par-la-Ville Park. Darrell followed him inside the toilets, where again Mr. Cowen refused the request.

Mr. Cowen then made a complaint to the Police and Darrell was later arrested and cautioned.

When Police asked him why he was begging, he replied: "I was hungry... I didn't mean anything... tell the guy I am sorry.'' He was then released back onto the streets.

Just a few days later, Police saw Darrell in conversation with the group of Eton students on Front Street.

Officers witnessed money being handed over, and arrested Darrell on suspicion of begging. They searched him and found $1.87, which was seized.

He was then charged with begging.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner asked Darrell what he had to say, to which he apologised and vowed he would not do it again.

"Let me tell you something,'' Mr. Warner said, "You're no fool and we had this conversation last time. I locked you up then for begging, and you told me the same thing.'' Mr. Warner said he was aware of the political situation surrounding beggars but continued: "This is not a political court and it doesn't run the Social Services and solve the social problems of Bermuda.

"Locking Darrell up will only cost the Government more money and if he is let out he will only do the same thing, so prison may not be the place for these offences.

"I must impose a sentence according to what the law says, a sentence that fits the offences.'' Darrel was then fined $500 for each count of begging and ordered to pay it straight away or face 90 days in prison for each charge, to run concurrently.

Darrell asked for time to pay as he had just started work with his cousin.

Peter Farge, Darrell's lawyer, then spoke on his behalf telling the court his client was homeless, had a drinking problem and resided at the Salvation Army, where he received three meals a day and did not need any money. What money he did have, said Mr. Farge, was spent on alcohol.

At that, Darrell shouted: "I don't have an alcohol problem.'' But Mr. Warner allowed the sentence to stand.

Mr. Cowen later The Royal Gazette : "Some of us are getting tired of the rhetoric about the underprivileged who require assistance because they cannot help themselves... people that are hounded on a daily basis for a dollar for a cup of coffee are saying enough is enough! "Do the `decision makers' really have a genuine interest in addressing this terrible situation or do they intend to stay in hiding?''