Lout becomes Cirencester's first ASBO (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Lout becomes Cirencester's first ASBO

DRUNKEN yob Simon Allen is the first person in Cirencester to get an ASBO (anti social behaviour order).

And police are hoping the move will serve as a warning to his binge drinking friends, who have been turning the centre of the historic market town into a haven for dropouts.

Allen, aged 41, is one of a group of drunks who congregate at various points around the town for regular boozing sessions.

Police and the town council are currently looking to introduce no-drinking zones in a bid to deal with the problem.

But Allen was dealt with individually by magistrates last week who told him he could now go to prison if he buys or drinks alcohol in a public place.

The ASBO means that Allen, of Meadow Close, is also banned from swearing in public, or using threatening or abusive words towards another person. He also faces prison if he assaults another person.

Police spokesman Matt Ford said: "Allen was repeatedly making a nuisance of himself in Cirencester, and it was felt that an ASBO would help to tackle the problem.

"Many of the incidents he became involved in were linked to his alcohol consumption. The constraints of the ASBO go some way towards addressing this issue."

ASBOs are designed to clamp down on people who are deemed likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more people, who are not in the same household as the offender.

The legislation, which was introduced as part of the 1998 Crime and Disorder Act, can cover everything from graffiti to drug dealing and ASBOs contain legally binding agreements, which must be adhered to.

Allen, who appeared before Cheltenham magistrates last week, was issued with an ASBO after he admitted using threatening words and behaviour towards a man during an incident on November 6 last year.

He was spotted on CCTV in Brewery Court, which is a renowned haunt for local drunks.

In addition to the ASBO, Allen was given an 18-month community rehabilitation order and ordered to pay £40 costs.

Mr Ford added: "ASBOs are an important part of the Constabulary's armoury when it comes to tackling persistent low-level and anti-social offending in the county.

"A checklist of criteria has to be fulfilled before the courts can consider imposing an ASBO, but if officers feel there are grounds for one they will make the necessary application."