Joseph Halilowski, 17, received an ASBO from North Avon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 3 January for persistently terrorising his local community, including shopkeepers and staff and members of the Old Park Youth Centre in Kingswood.
The court heard how Halilowski continually intimidated and disrupted the work of the youth centre and traders in Kingswood. He mainly directed his anti-social behaviour at women and during one incident he threw a lit firework.
The interim ASBO prohibits Halilowski from the following behaviour:
- Entering or attempting to enter the Old Park Youth Centre, Kingswood and surrounding area
- Contacting, whether directly or indirectly, a named individual
- Congregating in a group of more than seven people in Kingswood Park, Kingswood
- Acting in a manner, or using language, which is or is likely to be threatening, abusive or insulting towards any person within South Gloucestershire
- Acting or inciting others to act in an anti-social manner that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household as himself within South Gloucestershire
Philippa Isbell, anti-social behaviour co-ordinator for Safer South Gloucestershire, said: “We have worked closely with the police and the local community to secure this interim ASBO, the main aim of which is to isolate Mr Halilowski from the Kingswood shops and youth centre where he has caused considerable fear and disruption.
“Traders and residents should be allowed to carry out their work and leisure activities without their day to day lives and enjoyment being spoilt by one individual. This is an excellent example of partnership agencies working together and with the local community to deal effectively with perpetrators of anti-social behaviour.”
Sector Inspector Angus Krouwel of Avon and Somerset Police said: “The provision of leisure facilities for young people is key to any drive against anti-social behaviour, and Halilowski’s conduct has been spoiling the youth centre for other young people and staff for several months.
“He has also caused real problems in Kingswood Park which has been the scene of a number of fights and incidents of vandalism, particularly during weekend evenings.”
In Cadbury Heath, two more men have received interim ASBOs for threatening and endangering the local community.
Ricky Roberts, 18, and Jay Yeatman, 17, also appeared before North Avon Magistrates’ Court on Jan 3, after they persistently intimidated businesses and residents in the area during a series of incidents and attacks.
Some of the attacks were alcohol-related and during one incident a bus company was forced to pull a vehicle from service after a firework was thrown at it.
Under the interim ASBO, Roberts and Yeatman are prohibited from:
- Being in possession of alcohol in open bottles, cans, cups or containers in a public place
- Having contact with, in public, whether being in a group with, talking to or otherwise associating with a named individual
- Entering or attempting to enter the area of School Road, Cadbury Heath, or Newton Road, Cadbury Heath between The Lamb Public House and 2 Queens Road
- Contacting a named individual and his family, whether directly or indirectly
- Causing, or attempting to cause, any damage to any property not belonging to them
- Acting in a manner, or using language, which is or is likely to be threatening, abusive or insulting towards any person within South Gloucestershire
- Acting or inciting others to act in an anti-social manner that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same households as themselves in South Gloucestershire
Commenting on this case, Philippa Isbell added: “The anti-social behaviour caused by Roberts and Yeatman has ruined the quality of life and peace of mind of innocent and vulnerable residents and traders in the Cadbury Heath area.
“The nature of the language and behaviour prominently displayed by the two men is both shocking and entirely unacceptable. Working with the police, we have used the powers available to us under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act to protect the local community.
“We hope that this sends a clear message to any associates of Roberts and Yeatman that behaviour which causes harassment, alarm or distress to other people will not be tolerated in South Gloucestershire.”
Sector Inspector Krouwel added: “Roberts and Yeatman’s conduct has blighted the community of Cadbury Heath making it unpleasant and intimidating for local residents, shoppers, pedestrians and traders. These ASBOs clearly show the Cadbury Heath community that it deserves to be protected against this type of aggressive, threatening, nuisance and drunken behaviour.
ENDS