Tamworth Borough Council has successfully prosecuted a Tamworth man after he failed to comply with a community protection notice.
On 7 August 2023, Magistrates at Newcastle-under-Lyme Magistrates’ Court proved Mr Kieran Nickless (23) of Spencer Close, guilty in absence for breaching a Community Protection Notice issued November 2022 and was ordered to pay £1,346 within 28 days.
The Community Protection Notice instructed Nickless not to enter the high-rise flats, stipulating he must not cause harassment, alarm or distress within the community. Nickless breached this order within weeks (16 December 2022) and was issued with a £100 fixed penalty fine.
After failing to pay the fixed penalty fine, Tamworth Borough Council sought resolution from the court. The court proved Nickless guilty in his absence and ordered Nickless to pay a fine of £660, costs of £422 and victim surcharge of £264, a total of £1346 payable within 28 days.
Councillor Martin Summers, Tamworth Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Environmental Health and Community Partnerships, said: “Being subject to harassment and other forms of anti-social behaviour is frightening and very distressing. In all cases we seek to resolve issues by working with our community safety partners, including Tamworth Neighbourhood Policing Team, but sometimes court action is necessary to seek to protect victims.
“In this case Nickless showed a disregard to the community; after breaking a Community Protection Notice within weeks, and failing to pay a fine for the breach. These are serious offences; ones we could not ignore, and the decision was taken to prosecute.”
For more information about anti-social behaviour and how to report any incidents, please take a look at the council website.