Residents help police convict troublemaker (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Residents help police convict troublemaker

POLICE have thanked members of the community in Harnham after they helped ensure that a troublemaker who terrorised their neighbourhood will be kept off the streets for two-and-a-half years.

William Kerr (21) was given an eight-month prison sentence and a two-year antisocial behaviour order, after admitting a string of offences.

Appearing before Salisbury Crown Court last month, Kerr pleaded guilty to assault, criminal damage and using threats or abuse to provoke or cause the fear of violence during a rampage through Harnham between February 9 and 10 this year.

He also admitted intimidating a witness on February 15. Kerr's conviction followed an extensive police investigation, which was helped by Harnham residents.

"During our house-to-house inquiries, many people came forward prepared to give statements about what they had witnessed and heard," said community beat manager for Harnham WPC Kerry Lawes.

"They also helped us with identification.

"I think they were shocked to have this happening in their area - it had a big impact on residents, so they were keen to assist the police."

The public's help also led to Kerr receiving an antisocial behaviour order on his release from prison, in a bid to keep him away from the area he blighted.

He is forbidden from being in a public place in Salisbury between 8pm and 6am, possessing alcohol in public in the city, supplying drink to younger people and consuming alcohol anywhere other than in licensed premises or at a private address.

He will also be barred from entering large areas of Harnham. Kerr is the ninth person in Salisbury to be given one of the orders, which aim to stamp out persistent antisocial behaviour.

"Breaching an asbo is a criminal offence that carries a maximum of five years' imprisonment," said Inspector Kevin Hagger, of Salisbury Police.

"The conditions can be quite rigid - in this case, it effectively imposes a curfew.

"In the majority of cases, we do notice a reduction in antisocial behaviour.

"But, again, we rely on the public to be our eyes and ears and report any breach.

"Although this is one case, it shows that we do have tools available to us to deal with these offenders and, with the public's help, we can use them."