Council boss accuses rough sleepers of PRETENDING to be homeless as she blasts ‘career beggars’

A COUNCIL boss has accused rough sleepers of being “career beggars” who pretend to be homeless.

Dundee city centre chief Sarah Craig claimed it “broke her heart” to see pensioners giving money to people on the streets.

But she was slammed by homelessness charities over the “deeply offensive” blast.

Ms Craig told a community council meeting: “They are career beggars. We know all the individuals and despite the fact some of them appear homeless, they have accommodation.

“It breaks my heart to see people, especially the elderly, reaching into their purses for sometimes quite significant amounts of money.”

Her view was backed by local cop Sergeant Martin Jenkins who said beggars can make £60 a day.

He added: “If they’re sleeping on the streets that is their choice. There are some you’ll see with sleeping bags but a lot of the time they’re taking that out with them as a prop.”

Charity Crisis said 1,400 people applied to be classed as homeless in Dundee in 2015.

Rough sleeper Stuart, 42, revealed he’s been on the streets since leaving prison in March.

He said: “If I had a house to go to I would be there.”

Beggar Michael, 31, added: “Do you think I want to be out here? What she’s saying is total nonsense. I’m begging so I can afford to feed myself.”

Homeless charity Shelter Scotland’s Alison Watson also slammed Ms Craig’s claims.

She said: “The term ‘career beggar’ is deeply offensive and it’s shocking to hear someone from the council referring to people with such contempt.”

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