Kent’s largest ASBO application brings results

Anti-social behaviour orders have been handed out to five youths responsible for numerous acts of anti-social behaviour in Newington, in a civil case brought by the Thanet District Council and supported by Kent Police, on behalf of the Thanet Community Safety Partnership.

The case is the largest multi-ASBO application in Kent, with the partnership gathering evidence over the last year from CCTV footage, along with statements from witnesses, who include police officers, police community support officers and the council’s community wardens. The group were members of a gang on the Newington estate, who were responsible for a series of incidents, which included harassment, intimidation, threatening and abusive behaviour, throwing missiles, vandalism and criminal damage.

The five who received the anti-social behaviour orders were Danny Holloway Jnr. (18) of Harbour Street, Ramsgate, Jay Holloway (22) of St. John’s Avenue, Newington, Aston Cocks (16) of The Centre, Newington, Ricky Diggins (15) of Auckland Avenue, Newington, Alan Meechan (22) of The Centre, Newington.

The conditions imposed by District Judge Turner at Folkestone Magistrates Court on Friday (21 August) afternoon at the conclusion of the trial were that they cannot meet with two or more other people and threaten, insult, abuse people, throw missiles or damage property. They are also prohibited from standing or loitering on the pavement outside the Spar shop in the Centre in Newington, with both orders running for two years until 20 August 2011. The five were also banned from entering the Spar shop for a year.

A bind over was agreed by the court for Andrew Morris (22) from Weyburn Drive, Newington. This means that a deal has been signed with the court and if he breaks the restrictions on him, he will be required to pay a fine of £200 to the court.