HAMPSHIRE County Council has taken legal action to remove the homeless man who has been camped at the top of Paper Mill Lane, Alton for weeks.

This comes after the man, named by Hampshire Constabulary as Darren Watkins, 46, was last month charged with two public order offences.

A county council spokesman said: “We can confirm that a repossession order issued by the court has now been served on the encampment on highways land.”

Mr Watkins, of no fixed abode, appeared before Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on September 19, charged with using threatening words or behaviour against a 20 year old woman in the High Street, Alton, on September 11, and using threatening words or behaviour against a 39 year old man in the High Street on September 18.

Mr Watkins pleaded guilty to both offences and was fined a total of £135 and ordered to pay £50 compensation to the female victim.

Police confirmed it is not a criminal offence to have a tent on the pavement, rather it is a civil matter for the landowner.