Anti-Social Behaviour Orders for Family of Four
| Published: 26th June 2008 12:34 |
Anti-Social Behaviour Orders for Family of Four
A family of four men, originally residents of Buckfastleigh, Teignbridge, have been issued with ASBOs at the conclusion of a full hearing at Torquay Magistrates Court yesterday.
| As part of its commitment to tacking anti-social behaviour, Teignbridge Council worked closely in partnership with Devon & Cornwall Constabulary and Teign Housing to achieve the Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs).
The Brien family, Leslie, 48, Dean, 26, Darren, 23, and Jimmy, 19, had previously been issued with interim ASBOs by the court last December. A full hearing began in April 2008, with a large number of witnesses giving live evidence. A the conclusion of the case Leslie, Dean and Darren were issued with full ASBOs for 10 years, and Jimmy had his interim ASBO extended until Friday 27th June. He was unable to appear at the hearing due to mental health issues, but will appear in court on 27th June, at which time he too may be issued with a full ASBO.
The family have engaged in violent and abusive anti-social behaviour regularly and consistently over a period of time, including affray, assault, driving without MOT or insurance, shoplifting and various public disorder offences. Complaints have included the use threatening and abusive behaviour towards a disabled resident, as well as neighbours and police officers.
Prior to their Anti-Social Behaviour Orders they had already been the subjects of an exclusion order from many licensed premises in Buckfastleigh and Ashburton, and had previously broken this order. The men have multiple criminal convictions between them.
Three of the four men have left Teignbridge since an interim ASBO was granted last December. Leslie & Jimmy Brien now reside in Plymouth, and Darren Brien now resides in Plympton. Earlier this year Teign Housing started a process to evict the Briens from their original home in Buckfastleigh following continued complaints from local people.
Among the conditions of the ASBOs are ones which ban Leslie, Darren and Jimmy from entering the parish of Buckfastleigh north of the A38. Teignbridge Council and Devon and Cornwall Police may seek for this condition to be applied to Dean Brien, who still resides in Buckfastleigh, once eviction procedures have been completed.
Cllr Brian Berman, Teignbridge Executive Spokesperson for Communities and Regulation said:
"We have a long-standing commitment to improving community safety, and crime rates are extremely low throughout Teignbridge. However, this family have demonstrated just how damaging anti-social behaviour can be, and I'm delighted that we have been able to take action to put a stop to it.
"While there is not a high rate of anti-social behaviour in Teignbridge, we will take measures against anybody who consistently acts in this way. The point has to be made that it is unacceptable, and that everybody has the right to live without fear of harassment, abuse, or any other form of anti-social behaviour."
Andy Davies, Teignbridge Anti-Social Behaviour Officer said:
"I would like to commend the community for its willingness to stand up against these men. Local people have played a key role in making this action possible.
"Our partnership working with the Police, Teign Housing and Victim Support has also played a major role in securing this ASBO and putting right much of the damage to the community, and we will continue to make the most of this close working to ensure Teignbridge remains a safe place to live and work."
Cllr Stuart Barker, Teignbridge Council Ward Member for Ashburton and Buckfastleigh said:
"Having been dealing with this problem for over two years, working with the local police and several of the residents affected to address this issue , I am delighted with the result of this hearing and the strict conditions applied in the ASBOs.
"This is a great result for Buckfastleigh residents, who will hopefully see a significant improvement in their quality of life, and for Teignbridge as a whole. It is testament to what can be achieved when members of the community come forward and make a stand against anti-social behaviour. This would not have been possible without working together with a number of individuals and partner organisations, and I'm extremely glad that the work has achieved such a good outcome."
Cllr Paul Parker, Teignbridge Council Ward Member for Ashburton and Buckfastleigh:
"This really is a really positive thing for Buckfastleigh, and I welcome the news that three of the ASBOs have been confirmed for ten years. Local people have reported how much more pleasant Buckfastleigh has been since the interim ASBOs were first achieved, and I look forward to this continuing for many years to come."
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