Cirencester man blacklisted for by BOBS members (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cirencester man blacklisted for by BOBS members

A CIRENCESTER man has become the first person to be banned from the town's pubs and off licences for allegedly supplying booze to under-age children.

Mark Long has been excluded for 12 months under the BOBS (Behave or Be Banned Scheme) after he was caught by security staff from Tesco's town centre store.

BOBS chairman Dave Watson praised the firm's stance and said he hoped the ban would act as a deterrent to other adults who supply alcohol to minors.

Mr Watson, who runs the Wheatsheaf Inn in Cricklade Street, said: "Tesco really wants to be seen to be taking a responsible lead over this issue.

"He (Long) purchased alcohol from Tesco and security was suspicious because he'd been warned on previous occasions.

"Tesco put forward his name because it doesn't want to be associated with irresponsible sales of alcohol to people."

Under BOBS, customers can be banned for bad behaviour or committing a drink-related criminal offence.

Bans can be from three to 12 months, depending on the seriousness of the offence, and warning letters can be sent out for minor problems.

People who try to flout their bans can also be liable for an extended punishment.

The committee meets every month and members vote on whether or not someone whose name has been put forward should go on the list.

At the latest meeting, Darryl Van Der Ven, who was sent to prison and placed on the BOBS list for a savage attack on Mr Watson in 2003, had his ban increased for allegedly breaking it.

Mr Watson declared an interest and left the meeting prior to the discussion and vote on the issue but, after hearing that Van Der Ven had flouted the rules, members voted to place him on the list for another 12 months.

The other new addition to the list is Marlon Woodward for allegedly using threatening behaviour towards staff and criminal damage at a Cirencester pub.

The full list of people currently banned from Cirencester pubs under BOBS is: Darren Short, Dean Goble, Lee Coleman, Richard Carey, Damian Walsh, Daniel McGann, Simon Gilbride, Neil Killick, Dave Woodward, Chris Wadley, Josie Cobb, Steve Pollard, Natasha Holder, Emma McGann, Richard Crocker, Natalie Ward, Darryl Van Der Ven, Mark Long and Marlon Woodward.