Four people have been prosecuted of breaching various Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) for a range of offences.
North East Lincolnshire Council introduced the PSPOs through the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act in 2014. The act gave local authorities the power to deal with nuisances or problems which harm the local community’s quality of life.
An order is intended to ensure that people can use and enjoy public spaces, living safely from anti-social behaviour. An order will specify an area where activities are taking place that are detrimental to the quality of life of those in the area and can impose conditions and restrictions on people using the specified area.
Breaking an order is a criminal offence, which can result in a fixed penalty notice (FPN) of £100 or prosecution. If prosecuted, an individual could be fined up to £1,000.
North East Lincolnshire Council have a range of PSPOs currently in place, including a restriction on cycling in certain zones and fishing without the relevant permits in a number of open spaces.
In recent weeks, a number of people have failed to pay their FPN, meaning their offences have been dealt with in court.
With cases held at Grimsby Magistrates Court, four were prosecuted:
- Scott Wallace, 49, Tivoli Gardens, Grimsby – Cycling
- Luke Wright, 30, Bemrose Way, Grimsby – Cycling
- Adam Wherrett, 37, Heneage Road, Grimsby – Cycling
- Emma Gail Summers, 52, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes – Smoking in smoke free premises
Mr. Wallace attended court and pleaded guilty to the offence. He was given a conditional discharge of six months and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £26 within 56 days.
Mr. Wright also pleaded guilty and was issued the same conditional discharge and victim surcharge cost.
Mr. Wherrett and Ms. Summers did not attend court and were both ordered to pay a £220 fine, costs of £200 and a victim surcharge of £88. In total, each were ordered to pay £508 within 28 days of the court ruling.
Speaking about the cases, Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, Councillor Ron Shepherd, said: “These PSPOs are there for a reason. Not because we want to put them in place or to cause a nuisance, but to ensure the safety of the borough.
“These people have not followed the rules and for that they have been rightly punished. Others need to be made aware that we will not simply look the other way, those breaking these PSPOs will face repercussions.”
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