Charity chugger ‘was a fraud’

An accused charity conman has appeared in court accused of swindling generous members of the public out of hundreds of pounds. Jobless Anthony Armstrong, 59, roamed the streets of Piccadilly with a bucket, purporting to collect cash for charities such as Homeless Heroes, Stroke Information and Child Soldiers. Prosecutor Edward Cohen said: ‘On April 6 in Piccadilly, the defendant was seen holding a charity bucket with a name badge around his neck. Police were of the view that the badge…