A beggar who regularly hits the streets begging people for food and money is seen getting in to his £50,000 Audi TT at the end of his 'shift'

A beggar says he has received death threats after he was spotted getting into a sports car worth up to £50,000 after a day on the street. Matthew Brinton, who has for years asked for money in Bank Street, Newquay, Cornwall, with his border collie Hazel, was filmed climbing into his Audi TT in a local car park.

Mr Brinton, 35, says the sportscar was bequeathed to him by his grandmother.

The beggar, who lives with a friend, says that it has since been stolen and he fears for his life after threats from critics.

According to the police I've had lots of death threats. People are assuming too much and I'm getting a lot of abuse

More than 100 people have commented on a Facebook post showing him loading the TT before driving off.

Many say they feel deceived after giving him food and money when in reality he had a sportscar and a place to stay in Newquay.

But Brinton says he is in despair and starving because the donations have stopped.

He said: 'I have not seen any of the social media posts because I do not have access to the internet but according to the police I've had lots of death threats.

'People are assuming too much and I'm getting a lot of abuse. This has been going on for years'.