Man banned by injunction from shops in Mansfield

The injunction bans Jamie Grout, of no fixed address, from begging and behaving in a manner that causes harassment, alarm or distress to members of the public in the Mansfield district.

The injunction conditions include prohibiting Mr Grout from begging, shouting, swearing or causing excessive noise, urinating or defecating in public, setting fires or using drugs and discarding drugs paraphernalia.

He is also banned from entering certain premises in Mansfield without a prior appointment, including the Civic Centre, the One Stop, Westfield Lane, Premier Stores, Rosemary Street Service Station and Tesco Extra, Chesterfield Road South

If he breaches the injunction, Mr Grout risks being held in contempt of court and could face a prison sentence.

Mansfield Council took action after complaints from members of the public and businesses that Mr Grout was persistently begging outside shops in and around the town centre.

He has also been found injecting substances on public premises and discarding uncapped syringes in the vicinity.

The injunction was issued on July 5 at the County Court in Mansfield and the interim injunction was served on him personally on July 9.

The court was told that Mr Grout had been given numerous warnings in relation to his behaviour and had refused support from the council and partner agencies in relation to reducing his drug addiction and obtaining housing support.

He has previously been issued with a Drug Rehabilitation Order in relation to another matter but, so far, he has failed to engage with this.

Coun Angie Jackson (Lab), portfolio holder for wellbeing, health and safer communities, said: “The council takes enforcement action of this kind only as a last resort.

“We always actively offer help and support first whenever we have cases of this kind, and offers of support will continue to be made to Mr Grout.

“But if someone persistently causes harassment, alarm or distress, then we have no viable option other than to seek formal legal intervention.”

A final injunction hearing will be held on July 31, to allow Mr Grout an opportunity to put forward any submissions as to why the injunction should not stand or proceed.

Anyone witnessing him breaching his conditions should contact the council on 01623 463463 or the police on 101.