It's a no go zone

Eighteen-year-old Leon Morris, believed to be the ringleader of a gang of thugs, made Freshbrook Village Centre into a no-go zone causing mayhem for nearby residents, shoppers and staff.

But now he will not be allowed to go there, even to go to the doctors, after a successful legal action by Swindon Council resulted in an anti-social behaviour order.

The court found that Morris's behaviour between June 9 and November 19 had been so bad that magistrates agreed to ban him from the area to protect the public.

During that time he harassed various traders including Paul Davoile, the manager of the Windmill public house and Arno Morsinc and Terry John Iles of the Freshbrook Community Centre.

The court heard that on September 8, Morris, with another, was involved in a knife fight outside the Tesco Express store in Freshbrook and on November 18 he entered the Freshbrook Community Centre hurling abuse during a ballet class.

The two year order follows a three month interim order made on November 26.

Francis Maples, the solicitor acting for Swindon Borough Council who brought the case against Morris, told the court that he had broken the interim order once, two days after it was imposed on November 28.

Mr Maples said: "We realise that in every case there needs to be scope for the defendant to be rehabilitated but this needs to be balanced with the need to protect the community.

"The view of many members of the community is that the order has been successful, but healing takes time.

"Even now people are afraid to go to the area for fearing of being accosted by Morris or one of his friends. We believe the order should continue until people finally are able to walk around without any of the fear that Morris provoked."

Martin Wiggins, defending, said: "Mr Morris accepts that he has caused trouble in the past but the court should note that there have been no problems at all since the interim order was made.

"This law is draconian and takes away people's liberties without a need for proof of guilt. By imposing this order, the court will be acting as an oppressor against Mr Morris and taking away his human rights."

As part of the order Morris is prohibited from entering, or remaining in, the area of Freshbrook Village Centre, engaging in acts which cause harassment to one or more persons not of the same household as himself within the area of West Swindon, and from congregating out of doors in Freshbrook with Michael Brooks of Bradenham Way.

Reacting to the result after the hearing Morris said: "I accept the decision of the court. I think the court has been hard on me because I have already demonstrated that I have changed and that I don't want to cause trouble for anyone. I hope to come back to court soon to apply for the ASBO to be varied."

Mr Wiggins confirmed after the hearing that he would be fighting every step of the way to get the ASBO revoked.

Case file

Leon Morris spat at a retail assistant who ticked him off for being in a group that was misbehaving, a court heard at another hearing.

Morris, 18, of Godolphin Close, appeared before magistrates on Thursday charged with assault.

Andrew Pritchard, prosecuting, told the bench that Morris was ordered to leave Mega Bowl in Shaw Ridge on October 6 by Amanda Baker, who accused him of pulling down a sign.

Morris admitted spitting twice at the assistant after she waved her arm at him provocatively when he snatched a pair of gloves, which she had picked up by mistake.

Martin Wiggins, mitigating, said his client admitted to the assault charge at the earliest opportunity, adding that it was an instinctive reaction.

Sentencing was adjourned until April 13 so reports could be made.

'This is great news for the community'

FOR the people of Freshbrook Village Centre the banning of Leon Morris for at least two years is a major victory and means they can walk the streets without fear again.

For them, Morris getting a two-year anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) against him should send a strong message out to any other would-be yobs that their behaviour will no longer be tolerated.

Community beat officer for Freshbrook, Police Sergeant Robin Colbourne, said: "It shows that the public who appeal to us when there is trouble and yobbish behaviour are being listened to."

Paul Davoile, the landlord of the Windmill Pub, has been tormented by Morris for years and has seen him grow into what he is today.

He said: "Obviously, I'm very pleased that he has been given the full ASBO as since the interim order came into effect our lives have been made so much easier. This has been going on for years. I've seen him grow from a young lad who used to enjoy intimidating older people, to become a very violent young man. I personally don't think he's changed. We have had to put up with absolute havoc from him. Now we will be able to walk the streets without being intimidated. This is great news."

Arno Morsinc, the licensee of the Freshbrook Community Centre, has had to deal with Morris on several occasions, including an incident when he barged into the centre and started shouting obscenities during a ballet class being held there.

He said: "This is for the good of the whole community. The last three months have been brilliant. There have still been a few problems with kids but nothing on the same scale."

Crackdown

In the past few years, Swindon police, in partnership with the council, has introduced a number of measures to halt the tide of yobbish behaviour.

These include dispersal orders in Swindon, where police can split up large gangs of youth from gathering in certain areas and Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) allowing magistrates to ban yobs from certain areas, impose curfews and impose other restrictions.

If offenders ignore either of the orders they face fines or even imprisonment. This crackdown in Swindon has led to more than ten Anti Social Behaviour Orders and several dispersal orders.

These include: Wesley McGregor, 17, was banned a year ago from going near Sussex Square or the parade of shops in Marlowe Avenue. He was also banned from associating with two other named youths and had a curfew imposed upon him.

The order also stated that he could not engage in any acts causing harassment, alarm or distress in Park North and Walcot. This came after the teenager continually spat at shops, swore at customers and kicked a football at pedestrians .

In May, last year, Liam Walsh, who was then 13, was banned from parts of Penhill, after he was accused of turning them into no-go areas. Since the ban, Liam has decided to turn his life around and has discovered a love of football.

Last year, police carried out a six-month blitz on troublemaking youths in Stratton using dispersal orders. The orders were used to split up gangs of teenagers that had been causing criminal damage, graffiti, and intimidating people.

Officers reported a 50 per cent reduction in antisocial behaviour in the area Other dispersal orders have now been introduced in Pinehurst, Moredon and Haydon Wick, Toothill, Freshbrook and Shaw.

Your call

SWINDON residents are bombarding a new hotline aimed at beating the scourge of anti-social behaviour.

Since its launch on February 28, the Adver backed It's Your Call hotline has received nearly 100 calls.

Cheri Wright, who heads Swindon's crime and disorder team said: "The hotline gives people an opportunity to report anti-social behaviour.

"There has been a noticeable increase in calls which helps make us aware of problems so we can look at tackling them."

Swindon was one of 25 towns and cities to be picked for the hotline. The Home Office hopes it will help make Swindon a better place to live.

Besides needing details of problems, the team wants to know about the culprits.

Names, addresses and descriptions will help nail offenders and prevent further problems.

While they would prefer if callers leave their names and contact details, information can be left anonymously.

Once action is taken, feedback cards will be sent to residents explaining what steps have been taken.

The hotline, 0845 605 2222- is charged at local rates and is for reports of: Rowdy behaviour and gangs, intimidation and harassment of the public, fly-tipping, graffiti and vandalism.

Jamie Hill