A Tooting con artist who would bang on doors in the middle of the night and spin tales of a sick mum has been warned she could be jailed.

South Western Magistrates' Court heard how Charmaine Wouters from Aboyne Road would knock on people's doors in the middle of night and beg for money - telling lies about needing to visit her sick mum in hospital.

The 24-year-old was given an antisocial behaviour order after a district judge heard numerous examples of how she had conned residents with her tall tales.

Ms Wouters would regularly knock on doors in the early hours of the morning and tell the occupier her mum had been rushed to hospital and she needed cash for a taxi.

She would regularly ask for around £25 and would often say she would return the next day and pay them back, but she never did.

On one occasion she cheated a woman out of £20 with this story. A few hours later - at 2.40am - she returned to the same house and tried the same trick. But fortunately her victim didn't open the door a second time.

One victim was visited three times in the space of one night, between 12.45am and 3am. On that occasion she got away with £65 after saying her mum had been transferred from one hospital to another.

At other times she was caught cheating customers in local pubs and restaurants by fraudulently claiming to be collecting for charity - including one for starving children in Africa.

The court heard Wouters has 13 convictions for obtaining property by deception as a result of these activities.

After hearing the evidence, the district judge imposed an ASBO which will remain in force until November 2009.

As a result between now and that date she is banned from begging, seeking money or charitable donations, visiting any residential premises and using the doorbell, knocking or telephone without prior permission of an occupier except when visiting relatives or friends.

If she is convicted of having breached these prohibitions anywhere in England or Wales, she could be jailed for up to five years and also be fined.

Anyone who is approached by Wouters and asked for money should call the Tooting safer neighbourhood team on 020 8721 2701 or Wandsworth Council's antisocial behaviour unit on 020 8871 8894.