A Church Village man who became an abusive vandal whilst under the influence of alcohol has been banned from being drunk in public and placed on a strict curfew as part of an ASBO.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Community Safety Partnership officers attended Pontypridd Magistrates’ Court this week to secure the order against Kenneth Howard, 32, of Fadre Court.
They had no choice but to secure action against Howard due to his unacceptable behaviour when he was drunk, which included throwing missiles through windows of his local police station and pub and swearing in front of children.
Officers presented a catalogue of evidence against Howard during the hearing, leading to a decision by Magistrates to place him on a two-year ASBO banning him from:
- Drinking, being under the influence of, or being in possession of, alcohol in any public place anywhere in Wales and England.
- Using verbally abusive or threatening language or behaviour towards any other person at any time, anywhere in Wales or England.
- Being in a public place between the hours of 8pm and 7am for the next six months.
The order will run until November 3 2012 and the curfew will expire in six months time. During the court hearing, Howard’s defence stated he had an alcohol problem and it is hoped the ASBO will help him to deal with his issues.
Paul Cannon, Chair of the Community Safety Partnership, said: “Officers from the many agencies that form the CSP have worked for some time in a bid to engage with Howard and change his behaviour.
“However, it is clear from the catalogue of evidence presented to the court in this ASBO application that Howard and his behaviour, especially when drunk, is harming the community.
“We will not tolerate the mindless actions of one individual, especially when they are causing harm, disruption and upset to the wider area.
“Once again, the partnership has secured an order that places strict sanctions on an individual’s behaviour in a bid to curb offending, protect the community and try to force them into a better way of life.”
Evidence presented in court included:
- June 6 2010 when Howard attended Church Village Police station at 2.45am when he was drunk and threw a stone at the window, causing it to smash.
- June 7 2010 when Howard called the police from a phone box in Church Village and threatened to smash things up and kill someone. Police arrived to find him heavily under the influence of alcohol and acting in a manner that was causing alarm and distress to others.
- June 15 2010 when Howard, again, drunk, threw stones at the window of Llantwit Fadre Sports Club, causing it to smash.
- On July 25 2010 Howard contacted police and they attended Abbey Court in Church Village to deal with him. On their arrival he became verbally abusive, in front of children who were nearby.
- Smashing three windows at Church Village Police Station on September 21.
- Ringing police and threatening to smash up the telephone in a public box in Church Village on September 23.
- Smashing panes of glass at the Brew House in Llantwit Fadre in 1998, by throwing a billboard through the window.
- Becoming verbally abusive to staff at the Silverbrook Resource Centre in Church Village in December 1998 when they refused him entry. He then smashed the glass in the door and damaged the frame.
- Being drunk and playing loud music from a stereo in the street in Church Village in May 1999.
- Being abusive to members of the public as he stood drunk in the street in December 2000.
- Fighting in the street while drunk in January 2001.
- Throwing stones at police officers who were dealing with an unrelated incident in Church Village in June 2001, again he was drunk.
- Driving while under the influence of alcohol in August 2001 and May 2003.
- Failing to stop at the scene of an accident and refusing to provide a breath specimen in May 2002.
- Becoming abusive to police officers and residents when they tried to stop him drinking alcohol with a group of youths in May 2002.
- Shouting and using abusive language in public.
- Throwing a brick through the window of a house and kicking the door in.
- Throwing a wooden object through the window of a house.
- Throwing a brick through the window of an unmarked police car.
