A prolific offender who went on a crime spree in Pontypridd just hours after being released from prison has been given an ASBO banning him from the town.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Community Safety Partnership had no option but to secure the order against Lee Resoli, because of the harm he causes businesses and residents in Pontypridd.
On Friday, November 5, Resoli was released from prison on license after serving part of a 90-day sentence he was given for stealing a camera from Cash Generator in High Street, Pontypridd, in September this year.
By 6pm on the day of his release, Resoli was back in custody after being arrested and charged in relation to an incident of criminal damage, two incidents of vehicle interference and a public order offence, all of which occurred in Taff Street, Pontypridd.
He was remanded in custody to appear before Rhondda Magistrates’ Court this week.
Here, the court heard the level and nature of Resoli’s offending is of serious concern to the Community Safety Partnership, which is working to ensure Pontypridd and other town centres remain safe and enjoyable places to live, work and visit.
A total of 15 offences committed by Resoli, including theft of goods from Pontypridd town centre shops and criminal damage to buildings.
Despite numerous fines, prison sentences and court orders, Resoli, who gave his address as the Waterton Hotel in Tonyrefail, continued to offend.
As such, after hearing the evidence and the harm he causes the community, magistrates served a three-year ASBO on him, which bans him from entering Pontypridd town centre at any time.
The ASBO comes into immediate effect, however, Resoli was ordered to return to prison for 45 days to complete the rest of the 90-day shoplifting sentence he was given in September, after he breached his license by re-offending.
He was also given a further 21 days’ imprisonment for Contempt of Court after making threats to Community Safety Officers who were in attendance at Rhondda Magistrates’ Court for the ASBO hearing.
Paul Cannon, Chair of the Community Safety Partnership, said: “We are determined to ensure our town centres remain safe and attractive places for people to live, work and visit.
“We have worked hard to keep crime levels low and are investing millions of pounds into our town centres to help regenerate them.
“We will not see this significant and ongoing effort ruined by the unacceptable behaviour of a small minority of people.
“As such, we will seek the support of the courts to secure orders that ban people from entering the areas where their behaviour has a negative impact.
“Resoli is the latest in a series of people to receive such an ASBO and I hope this serves as a reassurance to all that the Community Safety Partnership is well aware of the handful of people who are causing all the problems – and is taking action against them.”
