A Mansfield man has been banned from parts of the town centre after repeated anti-social behaviour.
Peter Welch, 43, of Hickling Court, was often seen under the influence of drugs, begging, swearing and shouting at officers which was affecting residents, businesses and visitors.
On Wednesday, November 27, when he did not attend Mansfield Magistrates' Court, he was convicted in his absence of eight offences of failing to comply with a Community Protection Notice (CPN).
The case was brought by Mansfield District Council after receiving numerous complaints about Welch’s behaviour since April 2018.
He was served a CPN under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which required him not to approach people to beg in the Mansfield district.
But between May and July 2019 he was seen begging in busy areas of the town centre and retail parks, and when approached by officers, he became aggressive and abusive.
Welch was ordered to pay a fine of £50 for each offence, a surcharge of £30 and a contribution to costs of £500 – a total of £930 to be paid in full within 14 days.
The court also agreed to the council’s request to grant a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) for three years.
The CBO bans Welch from being in the town centre, Portland Retail Park, St Peter’s Retail Park and Mansfield Leisure Park.
It also prohibits him from behaving in a manner likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to any person within the district of Mansfield, and prohibits him from begging.
Evidence presented in court showed a continuing pattern of anti-social behaviour.
This includes smoking the drug mamba, begging, littering, being aggressive and abusive towards officers as well as previous public orders and begging convictions.
The court was told of the detrimental effect his behaviour was having on residents and visitors to the town, as well as local businesses.
David Evans, Head of Health and Communities at Mansfield District Council, said: "We are delighted with the result of this successful prosecution.
"Applying for CBOs for repeat offenders is one example of how we are using all our available powers and working closely with the police to reduce the amount of antisocial behaviour in the town centre for the benefit of our residents, businesses and visitors.”
On conviction, breach of a CBO could result in up to six months in prison, a fine or both in the Magistrates’ Court; and up to five years in prison, a fine or both, in a Crown Court.
