Persistent street drinker banned from Walsall town centre

Tuesday, 22 October 2024 13:20

A persistent street drinker in Walsall has been successfully prosecuted following a string of anti-social behaviour offences.

David Coffey, of Birmingham Road, Walsall, pleaded guilty to five separate offences at Dudley Magistrates’ Court on 16 October 2024, all of which breached the town centre’s Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

Offences included consuming alcohol within a prohibited area, urinating in public, and remaining within a specified area without reasonable excuse to cause harassment, alarm and distress.

Coffey was fined £120 for one of his offences, plus a £48 victim surcharge, of which magistrates noted were in line with his limited means.

The council also applied for a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) to be issued, which the court can grant against an individual to tackle the most persistent anti-social behaviour.

CBOs are usually served with a duration of between 2 and 5 years, but in this instance, was granted by magistrates until further order, to acknowledge the detrimental impacts Coffey’s behaviour has within the community.

Councillor Garry Perry, Leader of Walsall Council, said, “Once again the council has proven that we will clamp down on anti-social behaviour – it has absolutely no place in our borough.

“People need to understand the personal responsibility they have as citizens, and if they don’t, we will enforce it to protect our residents and communities who wish live in a clean and safe environment.

“Our community protection teams are targeting hotspots within the borough where anti-social behaviour is particularly prevalent, and following the latest result, it shows our plan is working.

“Well done to those teams for bringing these cases to court and showing that Walsall will not accept this behaviour.”

The council will work with West Midlands police to ensure that any breaches of the CBO are dealt with accordingly.