Two-year Asbo and city centre ban for Chester nuisance

May 12 2011 by Allison Dickinson, Chester Chronicle

A DRUNK who has been kicked out of Chester city centre seven times in the past 10 months has been banned from the area for two years.

Homeless Sonny Gardner, 31, has convictions for using abusive and threatening words and behaviour, assault, being drunk and disorderly, possessing heroin, obstructing police officers, burglary, shoplifting, exposure, breach of conditional discharges, breach of bail conditions and begging.

A two-year Anti Social Behaviour Order was granted at Chester Magistrates Court on May 9, following a conviction earlier this year.

Constable Charlotte Lloyd of Cheshire Police said: “When he drinks he becomes disorderly, abusive and aggressive. It can be very unpleasant for people who live, work, shop in, or just visit the city centre.”

As well as the city centre ban, the ASBO bans him from using foul, abusive, or intimidating language or behaviour in any public place. He is also banned from drinking or from being in possession of alcohol in an open container in a public place as being banned from urinating or defecating in a public place.

Inspector Ian Thorp, who leads policing in the city centre, said: “We are committed to taking firm and positive action against any individual who reduces the quality of life for other people in the city centre.

“This action should send a firm message to criminals and anyone intent on causing disorder in the area that behaviour such as that which Mr Gardner has displayed will not be tolerated.”