Interesting to hear of someone else who met the same man, Dommy. I don't really like being suspicious either, but I can't help rolling my eyes now every time someone stops me in the street and says 'I'm sorry to bother you...' in that polite but urgent 'please hand over three quid for some fabricated reason' tone of voice.

If I have time I will call his bluff when I see him again, bundle him into a taxi and insist on sitting in A and E with him for two hours until he gets to the front of the queue.