Sunday, June 12, 2005

Asbo-lutely Fabulous

"My client admits that he was drunk when he created a disturbance at Weymouth Bay Caravan Park", defending solicitor Roger Maxwell told Weymouth Magistrates Court. "He admits that he used threatening words & behaviour, he admits to shouting & banging on caravan doors, and he admits to swearing at the police when they handcuffed him.

It is also true that he is already the subject of a 2-year Anti-Social Behaviour Order. But in mitigation, I should point out that..the wording on the Asbo specifically states that he is 'prohibited from not being drunk in a public place'".

After consultation with his fellow magistrates, Chairman of the bench Colin Weston passed judgement on 38-year-old Stephen Winstone. "It is fortunate for you that the Asbo has been badly written, because otherwise we would have been looking to sentence you to prison for a couple of years. However, you were technically fulfilling the terms of your Asbo by being drunk in public, so the court will show leniency to you. You are fined £100".

[source: Dorset Echo 17/03/05].

No comments: