The fountain outside Sheffield City Hall in Barkers Pool.

The man was spotted laid face down in the water in the fountain in Barker's Pool yesterday afternoon, picking up loose change from the bottom of the pool thrown in by passers by.

But two police officers on patrol nearby in a police car spotted the man and approached him.

When challenged, the shame-faced man, whose clothes were dripping wet, pulled a handful of coins from his trouser pocket and threw them back into the ornamental water feature.

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After the officers spoke to the man, he exited on foot towards Division Street following the incident, which took place at around 2pm yesterday.