Pembrokeshire County Council has underlined its commitment to prevent anti-social behaviour from adversely impacting the lives of others and harming the environment.<br />Last month the Council secured a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) against Gavin James of 18 Vicary Crescent after the defendant repeatedly ignored orders to remove household waste and refuse which was attracting rats and vermin.<br />The piles of rubbish had been classed a genuine public health concern.<br />The indefinite CBO prohibits behaviour which causes harassment, alarm or distress by failing to remove the waste from the property.<br />It is the first CBO secured by the Council’s Public Protection service and failure to comply with the order can result in a fine or imprisonment for up to four years.<br />Over several years, James has refused to engage with Council officers and ignored orders to remove piles of waste and refuse.<br />James and his family had previously been provided with skips and the Council had engaged a private contractor to remove waste, but further waste soon continued to accumulate.<br />James had ignored a previous Community Protection Warning and Community Protection Notice, as well as multiple notices under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act. Magistrates had also imposed a series of fines.<br />Incidents of public disorder, anti-social and intimidating behaviour including the playing of loud music have also impacted people living nearby.<br />At Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Wednesday, August 21 James did not attend to hear a charge of failing to comply with a Community Protection Notice.<br />The case was found proven in his absence and Magistrates imposed the CBO to run indefinitely.<br />James was ordered to pay a £300 fine, plus victim surcharge of £120 as well as full costs of £2759.<br />Gaynor Toft, Council Head of Housing and Public Protection, said: “I wholeheartedly support the application for and the granting of the Criminal Behaviour Order in this case and thank all those who have worked so hard to achieve it.<br />“The failure to engage with officers and ignore orders to remove the waste and health hazard in this case is staggering.<br />“There have been multiple occasions and opportunities where this situation could have been resolved. However, I hope that this case shows that we simply will not allow residents to ignore rules and court orders and continue to adversely impact the lives of other people.<br />“Where we identify behaviours that impact the community, the Public Protection service, alongside Dyfed-Powys Police colleagues and members of the Community Safety Partnership will respond and will further the use of the CBO process where appropriate.”
