First as man banned from buying booze across Newport (From South Wales Argus)

First as man banned from buying booze across Newport

12:20pm Saturday 11th February 2012 in News By Ben Frampton - Crime reporter

A NEWPORT man is now banned from all pubs, bars, clubs and off licences in the city as Gwent Police takes a new approach to stamping out drink-fuelled crime.

Ryan Hiscocks, 19, cannot enter any premises in Newport which serves alcohol, including restaurants, cinemas and supermarkets.

Hiscocks, of Ringwood Hill, Ringland, was slapped with a Drinking Banning Order until November 2013 after he attacked a woman on September 21 in the city centre while he was drunk.

It is believed to be the first DBO issued in Wales, although more than 300 have been imposed in England including one English woman being banned from all licensed premises in England and Wales.

The orders are imposed by magistrates after police take their evidence to court either after a conviction, or as a case on its own.

Following the attack, Gwent Police got the DBO and say it is something they will now be applying for in most cases of this nature as a new way of tackling trouble-makers.

Police said although the ban includes supermarkets, he will be allowed to do his food shopping, but shops will be instructed not to serve him alcohol.

His details and photograph will be circulated throughout Newport to enforce the ban. If he breaches the order, he faces a fine of up to £2,500.

DBOs were introduced in 2009 as a tool to tackle disorder caused by alcohol.

In this case, Hiscocks admitted assault and was given a 12-month community order, was told to pay £85 costs and £500 compensation to his victim. After his conviction, police applied for the DBO.

Insp Bob Thompson, who is responsible for policing Newport city centre, said: "As well as making Newport a safer place by cutting crime and anti-social behaviour, we want to make sure people feel safer too.

"This Drinking Banning Order sends a clear message that we will not tolerate alcohol related disorder and if you are behaving in an unacceptable way and undermining people's feelings of safety, we will take action."