ASBO - THOMAS GILL

A 41-year-old man has been banned from entering shops in St Helens Town Centre after receiving an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) on Monday, March 7.
 
Thomas Gill, of Phoenix Brow, St Helens was given an ASBO at St Helens Magistrates' Court following evidence from the police and town centre businesses.

As conditions of his ASBO he must not:

-Enter any shop within St Helens Town Centre.
 
-Beg or seek charitable donations or engage in conduct likely to cause nuisance or annoyance to members of the public in the borough of St Helens.
 
-Touch or enter any vehicle that does not belong to him, without permission of the owner or as a fee-paying passenger.
 
-Gill can also not have in his possession any open or used needles in the Borough of St Helens.
 
If Gill does anything that is prohibited in his ASBO, without reasonable excuse, he will face either a prison sentence of up to five years, a fine, or both.

The order will last until March 7, 2013.

Chief Inspector Keith McLachlan said: "Gill's behaviour was had a negative effect on people working in and visiting St Helens Town Centre.
 
"My officers worked closely with the business in St Helens to secure this ASBO and we will be monitoring him to ensure that conditions are kept to.
 
"His ASBO should also send out a warning to others that such behaviour is not acceptable and will not be tolerated."

Councillor Sue Murphy, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Safer Communities & Youth, said: "We're pleased to see that the court has taken decisive action to prevent this individual causing further nuisance to both shoppers and businesses in the town centre. The council will do all it can to support the police in similar cases in the future - and make sure that a visit to the town centre is a  safe and enjoyable experience for everyone."