A man, who was subject to a community behaviour order (CBO), has been jailed for a public order offence after threatening a member of court staff.
Frank Watkins was jailed at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Monday (26 July) after pleading guilty to the offence which he committed just two days after receiving his CBO.
The 48-year-old, who was placed on a five-year community behaviour order on 21 July, immediately breached this when he entered an exclusion zone in Newcastle town centre later that same day.
When he appeared in court over this breach, two days later, he approached and threatened a member of court staff.
He was later located and arrested within his CBO exclusion zone.
He was subsequently charged with a public order offence – using threatening words and behaviour- and this additional breach of his CBO.
On Monday, he received a 12-week sentence for breaching his CBO and a further 12 weeks for the public order offence to run concurrently.
He was also told to pay a total of £363.
Watkins, of no-fixed abode, had previously refused support from officers and other agencies.
Speaking following his sentencing, Deputy Commander Charlie Emmett, of Stoke-on-Trent neighbourhood policing team in Burslem, said: “We are committed to removing disruptive individuals from our streets and protecting residents from the negative impact of serial offending.
“As a result of this prison sentence, officers and staff from other agencies will now be able to focus on individuals who want to be helped rather than repeatedly dealing with ongoing anti-social behaviour from this individual.”
As part of his CBO, Watkins is prohibited from entering Hanley and Newcastle town centres.
Anyone who sees Watkins in these areas is advised to contact Staffordshire Police on Facebook, Twitter, or call 101.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
