The beggars have been banned from Colwyn Bay

The pair could go to prison if they are found harassing people or begging in the town again.

Magistrates in Prestatyn granted the orders against a 34-year-old man and a woman aged 31 on Monday.

They appeared in court after being charged with begging in the town.

Peter Gordon Murphy from Lawson Road, Colwyn Bay and Alison Maureen Babbs from Ffordd Dyffryn, Mochdre were both charged and convicted of begging on four occasions.

Asbo conditions Must not harass, intimidate or pester in Colwyn Bay Not to beg within Colwyn Bay Not to loiter in Penrhyn Road Not to loiter in the railway station Not to loiter in the car parking area, Colwyn Bay

The successful application by North Wales Police to ban the pair from behaving in an 'anti-social' manner is the first time an Asbo has been issued following conviction.

"Both people have a long history of begging within the area of Colwyn Bay and their hostile actions have been viewed very negatively by all parties," said Inspector David Williams from North Wales Police.

Mr Williams said that "due to their aggressive and hostile nature in pursuing their begging", police agreed that if convicted, they would ask for them to be made the subject of an Asbo.

Asbos are designed to prevent behaviour including theft, intimidation, drunkenness and violence by individuals and families who make life difficult for their communities.

They were a key part of the Crime and Disorder Act in 1998 and came into force on 1 April 1999.