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Approached by a couple of beggars in need! (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

neared

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'approached' is the definition.
('near' can be a synonym of 'approach')

'a couple of beggars in need' is the wordplay.
'a couple of beggars' becomes 'ar' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'ar' put into 'need' is 'NEARED'.

'by' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for neared that I've seen before include "Drew nigh" , "Approached, drew close" , "Approached, came close" , "Got closer" , "Drew closer to" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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