Ball games ban for ASBO man

An 18-year-old man has been given a two-year ASBO after causing distress to local residents for three years.

One of the ASBO conditions on Jack Williams is that he is banned from playing ball games or even possessing a ball on the streets of his home town of Prestwich.

Williams, of Heaton Street, did not contest the order, which was sought by Bury Council with the support of Prestwich Neighbourhood Policing Team and based on statements supplied by members of the public as well as a local PCSO and council security officer.

The ASBO was granted by Bury Magistrates Court on 20 August 2013. Magistrates saw evidence of Williams using intimidating and threatening language and behaviour towards local residents, kicking footballs against people’s cars and houses, banging and throwing snowballs on people’s windows and recklessly playing football in an under-12 children’s play area in a way that put young children and their parents’ safety at risk.

He had received repeated warnings about his behaviour from the council’s ASB team and from the police, and had previously signed an Acceptable Behaviour Contract and been made subject to an ASBO warning. The council had received complaints about Williams’ behaviour dating back to 2010.

Councillor Sandra Walmsley, cabinet member for community safety, said: “Despite the best efforts of the council and other agencies to help Jack Williams address his behaviour, he has persisted in causing nuisance and distress to others. The council and our partners are committed to putting a stop to behaviour that undermines the quality of life of our residents.”

Anyone suffering from anti-social behaviour should contact Bury Council’s anti-social behaviour team on 0161 253 5353 or Six Town Housing on 0161 686 8000 if they are a Six Town Housing tenant.

The ASBO says that Jack Williams shall not, whether by himself or by encouraging or inciting others:

* Approach, communicate or interfere with certain named people or those living at or visiting their properties; abuse, insult or harass them or any other person; use foul or abusive language towards them or within audible range of any other person

* Play ball games or be in the possession of a ball on any street within Prestwich

* Enter the recreation/play area on Bailey Street, Recreation Street, Heaton Street or Kenyon Lane

* Congregate within a group of three or more people on Bailey Street, Recreation Street, Heaton Street or Kenyon Lane save for family members

* Bang on or throw missiles at the windows or doors of any property on Bailey Street, Recreation Street, Heaton Street or Kenyon Lane

* Use obscene gestures in any public place

* Damage or deface any property not belonging to him

ENDS

Press release issued: 20 August 2013.

Picture attached: Jack Williams.