text: Isa Richardson, a well-known beggar in Maidstone, Kent, made a 12-year-old hand over her last 15p . A beggar has been ordered to pay £20 to a 12-year-old girl after intimidating her into handing over the last 15p of her pocket money. The frightened youngster was confronted by homeless Isa Richardson who claimed she needed money because her car had broken down, a court heard. The schoolgirl, who has not been named, told police she felt intimidated by Richardson, 46, and believed she had no choice but to hand over the money. Richardson is a well-known character in Maidstone, Kent, who has a history of begging and a number of outstanding fines for other offences. She admitted her latest offence when she appeared before magistrates in Maidstone. The court ordered her to pay £20 to the young victim because of the stress she was forced to endure in the  incident. Richardson was caught and arrested on March 19 after CCTV operators were alerted to her suspicious behaviour as they spotted her approaching people for cash. She told the court she was in such a desperate financial situation that she believed her only options were to either beg or shoplift. She also told the court she deeply regretted upsetting the youngster. Magistrates heard she owed £375 in outstanding fines and costs from previous crimes but had started receiving benefits and was looking for a job to start paying off the debt. Homeless Richardson was also given a 12-month conditional discharge. Debbie Jones, prosecuting, said she had already been convicted of similar offences twice this year. A spokesman for Maidstone Borough Council said: 'We cannot comment on specific cases. 'Begging is illegal and anyone who feels intimidated should call the police on 101 or speak to a Police Community Support Officer.' Richardson was caught and arrested on March 19 after CCTV operators were alerted to her suspicious behaviour as they spotted her approaching people for cash . Maidstone Magistrates Court, where homeless defendant Isa Richardson was ordered to pay the youngster £20 after intimidating her into handing over her last 15p .
target: Homeless Isa Richardson claimed her car had broken down to young girl .
  12-year-old felt 'intimidated' and handed over everything she had - just 15p .
  Kent beggar has already been convicted of two similar offences this year .