Mansfield man who 'regularly' caused distress to shoppers has been banned from Mansfield Town Centre

Martin Staniland, aged 37, of Argyle Street, Mansfield, was given a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) at Mansfield Magistrates' Court following Mansfield District Council's prosecution for breach of a Community Protection Notice.

Staniland was found guilty in his absence of nine offences of failing to comply with a community protection order notice between April 4, 2018 and May 8, 2018. Eight of the offences related to entering Mansfield Town Centre when he was prohibited from doing so and one offence related to causing a nuisance to members of the public on Wood Street.

It was the first time the council had applied for a CBO as part of its ongoing commitment to reduce drug-related antisocial behaviour in the town centre.

Normally councils rely on the police to request a CBO on conviction of a criminal offence.

The CBO, which is valid for a period of 2 years until 23:59 on 8 November 2020, means he must not:

1. Enter Mansfield Town Centre

2. Enter or stand directly outside or remain directly outside the Beacon Project, St John's Church Office, St John's Centre, Wood Street, Mansfield, NG18 1QH.

3. Behave or incite others to behave in a manner that causes harassment, alarm or distress to any person in the district of Mansfield.

Mansfield Magistrates also imposed a fine of £60 for the first offence, no separate penalty for the other offences and ordered him to pay a surcharge of £30.

He was regularly under the influence of drugs often making him unable to walk causing distress to members of the public.

Executive Mayor of Mansfield Kate Allsop, said: "We are delighted with the result of this successful prosecution.

"Until now, the police have applied for CBOs but this is another way in which we are using all our available powers and working alongside the police to reduce the amount of antisocial behaviour in the town centre for the benefit of our residents, businesses and visitors.

"We already provide support to help those who need it most in terms of homelessness, substance misuse and mental health but we will not hesitate to take enforcement action where necessary."

On conviction, breach of a CBO could result in up to six months in prison, a fine or both in the Magistrates’ Court; and up to five years in prison, a fine or both, in a Crown Court.