Bracknell

A man who repeatedly breached the terms of an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) banning him from Bracknell town centre has been sentenced to 19 months in prison.

Anthony Lewington, 34, formerly of Mount Pleasant, Bracknell, was arrested by town centre officers in January 2007 following the shoplifting of goods from Sports World in the Peel Centre, Skimped Hill Lane.

Lewington was charged with one count of theft and three counts of breaching his ASBO. He appeared at Slough Magistrates’ Court on 26 January, where he was remanded in custody, and on 2 February he pleaded guilty to all charges.

On 23 March, Lewington appeared at Reading Crown Court, where he received a sentence of 19 months imprisonment.

The two-year-long ASBO was granted against Lewington at Bracknell Magistrates’ Court in May 2006. The conditions banned him from entering Bracknell town centre, defined as the area bounded by Church Road, the town centre bypass, the A329, Skimped Hill Road and the railway line. He was also banned from entering Sainsburys in Bagshot Road, Bracknell, and from carrying medical needles, syringes or injecting devices, or inciting others to carry them for him.

PC Marius York of Bracknell’s town centre patrol worked closely with partners in the Bracknell Forest Borough Council Community Safety Team, the Drugs Action Team and the business community to find a solution to problems caused by Anthony Lewington, who shoplifts to fund his drug habit.

PC York said: “Our priority is to ensure that the public and local businesses are protected from crime. Despite attempts by a number of agencies to address his behaviour, Lewington has breached the terms of his ASBO and continued to offend.”

Ian Boswell, community safety manager for Bracknell Forest Borough Council, said: “We are pleased with the action the court has taken in respect to this breach. An ASBO is not intended as a punishment and offers an opportunity for individuals to correct their persistent anti-social behaviour.

“We do not issue them lightly and always seek to use a number of other tools before resorting to an ASBO. Therefore, if one is breached, we would hope that the courts would take robust action as an ASBO recipient is likely to have had a number of chances to curb their behaviour.

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell