Two men and a woman have been found guilty in court of breaking a range of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) across North East Lincolnshire and ordered to pay £1602.12 in fines.
North East Lincolnshire Council introduced the PSPOs through the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 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, three were found guilty:
- Harriet Grant – Walking a dog on the beach
- Joshua Purton – Biking down Victoria Street, Grimsby
- Lee Tear – Biking down Victoria Street, Grimsby
Ms. Grant, 24, of School Lane, Gainsborough, was seen walking a dog on the beach at King’s Parade, Cleethorpes, on June 27 2023.
A PSPO is in place stating that dogs cannot be walked on the beach from Wonderland Groyne to Cleethorpes Leisure Centre from Good Friday to 30 September each year.
She received an FPN of £100 at the time but it remained unpaid, despite a reminder letter, leading to her being prosecuted. She failed to appear in court and so was proved guilty in absence.
She was ordered to pay £226.04 in total, consisting of a £220 fine; £88 victim surcharge and £226.04 in costs. Ms. Grant has to pay the amount within 28 days of prosecution.
Mr. Purton, 31, of Columbus Way, Grimsby, and Mr. Tear, 46, of Sutcliffe Avenue, Grimsby, were both found to have breached the PSPO that prohibits cycling down Victoria Street, Grimsby.
Purton was witnesses cycling down the street on July 4, 2023 and Tear on August 1, 2023.
Purton was issued with a £100 FPN, but failed to pay. As a result, a prosecution was sort. Tear was issued with the same FPN, but appealed the decision.
His appeal was not upheld and a reminder letter was sent to him, but the fine remained unpaid. Neither attended court and both were ordered to pay £226.04 in total, consisting of a £220 fine; £88 victim surcharge and £226.04 in costs. Ms. Grant has to pay the amount within 28 days of prosecution.
Speaking about the recent court rulings, 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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