A man and woman have been convicted and fined for breaching a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).
Both failed to appear at Grimsby Magistrates Court on Monday, 17 March, and were convicted in their absence. They were ordered to pay a range of fines and costs totalling £680.
Katie Edwards, 32, of Main Street, Pontefract, was convicted of walking her dog on the beach when not permitted to (Between Good Friday and 30th September). Paul Barber, 39, of Warburton Court, Grimsby, was convicted of cycling in a prohibited zone, Victoria Street, Grimsby.
PSPSOs are intended to deal with persistent anti-social behaviour in a local area that is detrimental to the community’s quality of life. They do so by imposing conditions on the use of that area to ensure everyone can use and enjoy public spaces without experiencing nuisance and annoyance.
Given the wide-ranging scope of a PSPO, they are used sparingly and only after every other option has been exhausted. Breach of a PSPO is a criminal offence subject to a fine on conviction of up to £1,000 however, you may be offered a fixed penalty notice (FPN) as an alternative to prosecution. Payment of the FPN discharges liability for the offence. The council works in partnership with the police to ensure the effective enforcement of PSPOs.
The pair were ordered to pay a range of sanctions, including a fine of £100, a victim surcharge of £40 and legal costs of £200. Both have 28 days in which to pay the full amount.
Councillor Ron Shepherd, Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, said: “It’s great to see action being taken by the courts in relation to PSPO breaches.
“These Orders aren’t simply ways for the Council to make money, they are there to protect the community surrounding them and ensure everyone has a welcoming and enjoyable time when in North East Lincolnshire.
“The WISE colleagues have been instrumental in this since starting in December 2023 and have had a massive impact in making the borough a better place.”
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