Man banned from town centre

9:43am Thursday 11th January 2007

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A GWENT man branded a "nightmare" for terrorising residents is banned from a town centre at night after being made the subject of an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO).

Shaun Coffey, 20, is forbidden from entering the centre of Ebbw Vale between 8pm and 8am under the terms of the two-year ASBO.

A post-conviction order was made after Coffey, of Bryn-y-Gwynt, Ebbw Vale, was convicted of harassment and sentenced to a month's youth custody at Cwmbran magistrates' court.

Blaenau Gwent Councillor Brian Clements said Coffey was a "nightmare".

Councillor Clements said: "He thought he was the king and that everyone had to put up with him. People did for years.

"He was the boss of a small gang who were offensive and threatened people through their drink-related behaviour.

"Society has to tolerate him for the rest of his life. He doesn't work so I don't know where he gets the money to buy drink."

PC Mike Smith, Ebbw Vale's crime and disorder reduction officer, said police worked with people from the Briery Hill area of the town in applying for the ASBO. "Over 50 residents attended two public meetings after becoming concerned about anti-social behaviour of which Coffey was a part of," he said.

Councillor Clements said: "I'm hopeful people will get some peace now but I don't think ASBOs are working in Blaenau Gwent.

"When people get an ASBO, it's already too late for them. Something needs to be done to change people's mindset.

"The system should look at young offenders to put money and time into finding out what the cause of their offending is and whether it's the parents' fault ."

Coffey's ASBO.

Coffey's two-year ASBO prohibits him from: * Entering Ebbw Vale's Bethcar Street or Market Street between 8pm and 8am.

* Using or encouraging others to use threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour in any place the public have access to.

* Causing harassment, alarm or distress or behaving in any way likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to any person.

* Being drunk in a public place.

* Entering the following areas of Briery Hill - Saron Place, Zion Street, Drysiog Street, Roderick Place, High Street, Spencer Street, Railway View, Angel Square, Farm Fields Road, Commercial Street and Woodside Court.