Homeless man who was fined by council for 'begging' has been given a job and a roof over his head

  • Homeless man Gary Cannop was fined when he was reading a book in the alleyway where he sleeps.

  • After online backlash, Coventry Council has revoked the £60 fine.

  • Gary has been given a four-week trial as a cleaner and accommodation.

A homeless man who was fined £60 by Coventry council for 'begging' has been given a job and a roof over his head after backlash online.

Gary Cannop, who has been homeless for 15 months, was reading a book in an alleyway off Smithford Way, where he sleeps, on Tuesday 9 July, when he was fined by a council officer.

People rallied behind the 55-year-old on social media after a viral post online condemned the fine as "wrong on every level".

Many people called on the council to offer accommodation and a cleaning job to Gary.

The council has now revoked the fine and offered Gary a four-week trial as a cleaner, as well as accommodation.

Gary said it's fantastic news:

Gary was reading a book when he was fined by the council officer. Credit: LDR Tom Davis

He is now looking forward to his new job cleaning the city.

"I like to take good care of the place here, he said. "I sleep here."

"A lady slipped on some leaves at the top and I just do not want that to happen again."

A council spokesman said: