North Tyneside Council has taken action against bothersome beggars after they repeatedly intimidated and harassed visitors to its town centres.
Today (August 22) a county court judge ruled that Crystan Wilson, 23, and Colin Martin, 30, could no longer enter Whitley Bay and North Shields town centres or parts of Tynemouth.
North Tyneside Council and Northumbria Police took the decision to prosecute the pair after they caused months of misery and intimidation to visitors to the three areas.
And in separate hearings today, the judge at North Shields County Court issued civil injunctions to both men.
With effect from today (August 22), the injunctions prevent them for entering the locations for two years and they will face immediate arrest if they do.
Speaking after today’s ruling, Colin Boxshall, manager of the community and public protection team at the council, said: “Both of these men are responsible for numerous incidents of anti-social behaviour and on occasions leaving members of the public extremely frightened.
“We hope these civil injunctions will act as a serious deterrent and stop them both from engaging in anti-social behaviour, aggressive begging and intimidating members of the public.
“The council continues to work closely with the police and charities to make sure people who are genuinely homeless receive support and help finding suitable housing, however we will not tolerate those who portray themselves as homeless in order to make money from generous and unsuspecting members of the public.”
Crystan Wilson was prosecuted after being arrested for carrying an offensive weapon, a theft in Whitley Bay and criminal damage, as well as being abusive to members of the public, pestering customers in shops, being reported for Metro offences and being drunk and disorderly.
And Colin Martin received the civil injunction for persistently approaching people and asking for money, being drunk and disorderly and Metro offences.
Inspector Neil Armsworth, of Whitley Bay and North Shields Neighbourhood Policing Team added: “The behaviour of these two has been a persistent problem in several areas across North Tyneside and I'm pleased these individual two year injunctions have now been put in place.
“I hope they will put a stop to this offending behaviour and I'd urge the public to help enforce them. If anyone sees Crystan Wilson or Colin Martin in the areas they are banned from then please let us know by calling 101 straightaway.
“We want people to come to North Tyneside and have an enjoyable experience not to be concerned about the anti-social behaviour of these two individuals.
"This injunction will provide the police and courts with greater powers to deal with Crystan Wilson and Colin Martin more effectively if required.
Although both Martin and Wilson are of no fixed abode, they are not homeless.
For help and advice for anyone who does find themselves homeless in North Tyneside, visit www.northtyneside.gov.uk, call 0345 2000 101 or go to one of the borough’s four customer first centres which can be found in each town centre.
Notes to editors:
Civil injunctions were introduced by the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014. The injunction can be used to deal with a wide range of behaviours, many of which can cause serious harm to communities. This can include vandalism, public drunkenness, aggressive begging, noisy or abusive behaviour towards neighbours or bullying, etc.