Nuisance banned from Mansfield town centre

A well-known nuisance in the Mansfield and Worksop areas has been stopped from terrorising the community through his drunken, abusive, behaviour.

In the last ten years Anthony Fidler, of Woodborough Road, Nottingham, has been convicted 50 times for no less than 107 offences ranging from theft, public disorder and assault.

Now, following joint action by Mansfield District Council’s ASB and Legal Services teams, and Nottinghamshire Police’s Safer Neighbourhood Team for Mansfield, the 33-year-old must comply with the terms of a three-year ASBO issued at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court today, Thursday 14th November.

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The order was obtained following years of alcohol and drug-fuelled antisocial behaviour by Fidler who continues to frequent the areas despite moving to Nottingham.

The most recent offences include failing to leave an area after being directed to do so by a police officer in Mansfield Town Centre on 25th October; shoplifting in Mansfield on 17th October 2013 and using threatening behaviour towards staff at Mansfield Bus Station on 16 October 2013 - just 12 days following his release from prison for breach of the peace and assault of a police officer.

Fidler was issued with a similar ASBO in 2008 which helped curb his behaviour. However, since it was lifted he has continued to reoffend. It is hoped a further ASBO will put a stop to his unlawful behaviour.

The conditions of the ASBO, which lasts until 11.59pm on 13 November 2016 state that Fidler should:

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• Not enter Mansfield town centre, including St Peter’s Retail Park or ASDA on Bancroft Lane. Unless for a pre-arranged appointment with a solicitors or probation

• Not engage in any behaviour or use any profane or obscene language which could cause harassment, alarm, annoyance or distress to any person in Nottinghamshire.

• Not be in possession of alcohol in an open container in a public place within the locality of Nottinghamshire.

Coun Mick Barton, portfolio holder for public protection at Mansfield District Council said: “The partnerships are pleased that this Antisocial Behaviour Order has been granted. This individual has carried out a series of antisocial, threatening and intimidating acts which could have placed members of the public in real danger.

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“The joint working of these authorities should send out a clear message that this type of behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

Pc Simon Lacey said: “Fidler has regularly been involved in aggressive, disruptive, abusive and drunken behaviour both in Mansfield Town Centre and other local areas and he has been arrested on a number of occasions for assault, criminal damage, being drunk and disorderly, breaching ASBO conditions and failing to appear before the court.

“It is clear he holds little regard for the law and does not seem able to control his behaviour in a civilised way.

“Law abiding people should be able to visit their town centres and enjoy their facilities without fear of intimidation and violence. Historically it has been people like Fidler that have given Mansfield a bad name but this action should send a clear message that the authorities will no longer stand by and allow him to behave in such a manner.”

If Fidler breaches the order he will face a fine or prison sentence of up to five years.