Town centre ban for Worksop man

A prolific and persistent offender has been banned from Worksop town centre following months of anti-social behaviour.
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Gavin Spooner, 43, was well-known to town centre shops and market stall holders for persistently being disruptive and being a nuisance.

He was also known for begging and his anti-social behaviour included shouting, swearing and threatening behaviour.

Spooner’s behaviour was having a detrimental effect on the trade of stall holders and shops and was also proving to be intimidating to members of the public and visitors to the town centre.

Gavin Spooner has been banned from Worksop town centreGavin Spooner has been banned from Worksop town centre
Gavin Spooner has been banned from Worksop town centre

His behaviour was also causing distress to residents close to a property where it is believed Spooner was being supplied with drugs and psychoactive substances.

Coun Julie Leigh, cabinet member for neighbourhoods at Bassetlaw District Council, said: “We applied for the injunction to reassure people that when they come into Worksop, they can feel safe and do not have to face this type of behaviour.

“I would like to thank the businesses, residents and members of the public who provided witness statements and helped us to secure this Injunction.

“Working in partnership with Nottinghamshire Police, we will not accept this type of behaviour and thanks to the powers set out in the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, 2014, we are able to prevent individuals from entering the town centre in the future.”

Spooner, of no fixed abode, was given the injunction by Mansfield County Court on November 6 2020 following numerous complaints to the council’s community safety team by residents and local businesses.

Worksop town centre is covered by a public spaces protection order (PSPO) and under the powers of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, the council is permitted to apply for an Injunction if the behaviour of individuals have a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality.

The Injunction will remain in place until November 6, 2021 and as part of the conditions of the iInjunction, Spooner is not permitted to enter the PSPO area other than to attend pre-arranged appointments or to obtain medication.

He is also not to cause harassment, alarm and distress to members of the public in the Bassetlaw area.

Should Spooner fail to abide by these conditions, he may be arrested.