A prolific offender who launched violent unprovoked attacks on members of the public and stole from shops has been banned from entering Pontypridd town centre.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Community Safety Partnership had no choice but to secure an Anti Social Behaviour Order against Paul Johns, 26, of Porcher Avenue, Glyncoch, in a bid to protect the public and businesses.
The order bans Johns from entering Pontypridd town centre at any time and also bans him from being under the influence of, or being in possession of, alcohol in any public place at any time.
If he is caught breaching the terms of the ASBO, Johns faces immediate arrest. In the last week alone, two other offenders on ASBOs were sent to prison on the spot by magistrates for breaching their orders.
Partner agencies working together to protect residents, visitors and shoppers in Pontypridd attended the town’s magistrates’ court this week to deal with Johns.
They presented the bench with a catalogue of his unacceptable, violent and intimidating behaviour, which led to the securing of the two-year ASBO.
These included:
- Theft from Poundland in September 2010
- Theft from Internacionale in June 2010
- Spitting in the face of a door staff worker in May 2010
- Stealing a football shirt from a charity shop, from Marks and Spencer and from Boots, all on the same day in February 2010
- Pushing a member of the public in Taff Street in February 2010, before headbutting them and breaking their nose.
- Throwing an axe at a resident in Glyncoch in 2002, cutting their face
- Kicking and punching a person in an unprovoked attack in Glyncoch in the same year.
Phil Bevan, Head of the Community Safety Partnership, said: “This is an individual whose appalling behaviour was having a detrimental impact on the community of Pontypridd town centre, which is why we have banned him.
“The offending was also alcohol-related, which is why it was important for us to secure strict sanctions against him when it came to possession of, and being under the influence of, alcohol in public.
“This order means that if he steps foot in Pontypridd, or is seen under the influence or in possession of, alcohol in any public place at any public time, he faces immediate arrest.
“This should serve as a reassurance to the community that we continue to act on their behalf and also as a warning to others.”
