A sex offender was banned from touching people after a drunken crime spree landed him in jail.
Jimmy Artell was sent to prison and slapped with a criminal behaviour order that means he cannot touch people without their permission or be drunk in public anywhere in England or Wales.
The 40-year-old was sentenced to 44 weeks in prison after pleading guilty to sexual assault, assault by beating, failing to comply with the sex offender’s register and criminal damage.
READ MORE: Liverpool Council told to reconsider paying Joe Anderson's legal fees
The charges relate to a number of offences homeless Artell carried out while drunk in the Ellesmere Port and Chester areas.
These have prominently involved abusive and threatening language and making unwanted advances towards people.
In addition to his prison sentence, Artell has also been handed a five year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) as part of ongoing efforts to help reduce his offending.
As part of the order Artell must engage with New Beginnings Recovery and Wellbeing Service, or an equivalent Drug and Alcohol service, to help tackle his alcohol addiction.
He must also engage with the Integrated Offender Management Unit or nominated police officer from Cheshire Constabulary.
Under the terms of the CBO, Artell must not: Be drunk in any public place in England and Wales, be in possession of an open container of alcohol in a public place or approach or have physical contact with any person, except for a legitimate purpose or with their consent.
Artell has also been served with a five year Sexual Harm Prevention Order which prevents him from having any physical contact with any person, except for a legitimate purpose, in any public place, business premises, private property or dwelling.
Inspector Paul Fegan, of Ellesmere Port Local Policing Unit, said: “I welcome the outcome of this case and I hope that the custodial sentence, as well as the CBO, provides reassurance to Artell’s victims and demonstrates that we are committed to doing all we can to tackle his offending.
“This case isn’t a case of shaming or humiliating him, it’s about providing him with the support he needs to tackle his addiction to alcohol.
“Over the past few years we have dealt with a variety of different incidents involving Artell, including inappropriate touching, all of which appear to stem from his addiction to alcohol.
“Hopefully, now that this order is in place, which requires him to actively engage with the services that are available to help him, he will be able to start moving forward with his life.”
Jane Muckley, community safety officer at Ellesmere Port Anti-Social Behaviour Unit, said: “This result has been a real team effort and I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in the case.
“Over recent years we have been working closely with Artell to address his offending and the outcome of this case is testament to the dedication and determination of the team here at Ellesmere Port in partnership with our colleagues at the Crown Prosecution Service.”
Anyone who encounters Artell breaching the terms of his CBO over the next five years is asked to contact Cheshire Constabulary on 101 to report it.
