A badly behaving 13-year-old boy from Oakdale has been given an Antisocial Behaviour Order.
Harrison Williams, from Llwynon Crescent, Oakdale, was given a two year ASBO by Cwmbran Magistrates Youth Court on May 10 after a series of antisocial incidents dating back to the end of 2009.
The court was told that Williams frequently displayed antisocial and aggressive behaviour.
Despite numerous interventions and warnings from authorities, Harrison’s behaviour continued.
The Antisocial Behaviour Order prevents Harrison Williams, anywhere within the Caerphilly County Borough Council area from:
- Acting or inciting others to act in an antisocial manner, that is to say, a manner that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household
- Shouting or swearing at any person in a public place
- Causing damage to any property not belonging to him
- Throwing any object at any person, property or vehicle, other than when playing any sport or game
- Carrying or consuming alcohol in a public place
- Being drunk in a public place
- Entering Oakdale Library, Central Buildings, Oakdale
- Entering the area known as ‘Oakdale Square’ or the streets directly surrounding Oakdale Square, namely Central Buildings and Aberconway Place, or any of the shops situated within this area, unless accompanies by a family member aged 18 years or over.
Cllr Rob Gough, cabinet member for public protection said, “We take instances of antisocial behaviour very seriously, and are not afraid to use the enforcement powers available to us when necessary to ensure that our residents can live their lives in peace and quiet.
“I sincerely hope the action taken by the courts in granting this Antisocial Behaviour Order will act as a deterrent to others who feel it is acceptable to behave in an antisocial manner. We will not tolerate such behaviour – it is as simple as that.”
Gareth Jones, Crime and Disorder Reduction Officer for Blackwood Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Harrison Williams made a significant impact on the quality of life for residents and businesses in the Oakdale area. The behaviour Harrison displayed and his disregard for others necessitated an application for an anti-social behaviour order to be made.
“I hope that the granting of this order shows the commitment of the police and its partners to tackle anti-social behaviour. It is important that if the community witness any breaches of this order they report it to the police as a priority.”
I am frankly puzzled, not by this boy receiving an 'ASBO' but by the bullet point list. Apart from the last point,
"Entering the area known as ‘Oakdale Square’ or the streets directly surrounding Oakdale Square, namely Central Buildings and Aberconway Place, or any of the shops situated within this area."
All the other actions detailed are surely unlawful, for anyone, not just this trouble maker? It is time that anti social behaviour was dealt with. I don't blame the council or the police. This is a situation that has grown, over the years, because of sucessive permissive governments and clever lawyers.
I am sure many older readers think that 'the birch' might be a solution, but one that would be impossible to impose due to the tangled mess of legislation passed over many years. Still, an answer must be found before people take the law into their own hands to deal with this problem. That would be a bad outcome, but I can see it coming.