A Hereford man has been convicted of criminal damage to property, and two counts of threatening abusive words, behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress and given a three year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) yesterday (Wednesday 22 September) at Hereford Magistrates Court.
The CBO was granted on application by West Mercia Police due to Aaron Newton causing a significant amount harassment and distress to local businesses, members of the public and the wider community with repeated incidents of anti-social behaviour. The behaviour was found to have caused alarm and distress to the public. Over the years Aaron Newton has been subject to a significant amount of police contact and interventions. The majority of these have come about as a result of his behaviour which in the main has impacted on the safety and well-being of others.
Newton, who is 39 years old and from Whitecross Road, Hereford was ordered to pay compensation of a total of £100 and given the CBO prohibiting him from –
- Swearing, aggressive, intimidating behaviour whether drunk or otherwise
- Throwing any objects at any person or vehicle, or obstructing any vehicle, by standing / remaining in the road or other carriageway to prevent its free passage or movement
- Causing a nuisance for any medical staff in any public place or place to which the public have access on payment or otherwise when they are attending to member of the public who are in need to medical attention
- Refusing to leave any private or public building which you have entered with or without express permission when requested by the person in charge of that premises at that time
Between 2013 to date there has been in excess of 215 incidents reported to police that concern Aaron Newton as a subject or perpetrator of anti-social behaviour.
PC Alice Bennett said: “Aaron Newton has placed significant and unnecessary demand on the emergency services through his reckless behaviour; has disrupted the lives of members of the public going about their daily business and has caused distress and compromised the safety of motorists. Despite being offered support many times and warned about his conduct he has persisted in acting in this way.
“The issuing of this order will hopefully prevent him from acting in this manner in the future.
“I hope the conviction and CBO provides reassurance to local retailers, local residents and our emergency service colleagues that the police will take positive action to make our communities safer.”
Note: The powers to issue a Criminal Behaviour Order are contained in the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 where behaviour has found to have caused alarm, distress or harassment.
Members of the public are encouraged to report any breaches of the orders to West Mercia Police on 101.
