BARTLEY GREEN QUARTET HANDED ASBOS FOR INTIMIDATION
A group of youths from Bartley Green who made local residents lives a misery, were today handed two year Anti-Social Behaviour Orders.
The four, aged from 15 – 20, were issued with the Orders on account of the verbal and physical abuse they directed at local residents. Their catalogue of abuse included threats of violence, criminal damage, graffiti, trespassing, verbal abuse, intimidation and harassment.
Ten local residents were brave enough to give named witness statements against brothers Mark Gauntlett (18) and Aiden Gauntlett, (15) Troy Jennings (20) and Jesse Walker (17), which strengthened the case that officers from Birmingham’s Anti-Social Behaviour Unit, West Midlands police and Birmingham City Council Housing Department, had built against the four.
The conditions of the Order mean that all four are excluded from entering parts of Weoley Castle, unless catching public transport to attend college. Further conditions of the Order mean that all four are prohibited from associating with each other within the City boundaries, acting or inciting others to act in an anti-social manner in both Bartley Green and Weoley Castle, assaulting, threatening, harassing and throwing or kicking items at local residents in the area.
A further prohibition was placed on Mark Gauntlett stating that he must not expose his bottom at one of the witnesses.
Cllr Ayoub Khan, Cabinet Member for Community Safety said, “A range of support services and non-legal interventions were offered to the young people at a very early stage, which were aimed at getting them to put a stop to their anti-social behaviour. All four refused support and compliance so further proceedings were brought against them.
I am saddened that these young people were unable to take positive steps towards improving their behaviour. We cannot condone the behaviour of those who make other people’s lives a misery and we will take action against anyone who does so”.
Speaking following the outcome of the case, Sergeant Mike Dunbar from the Bartley Green neighbourhood policing team said, “This is a fantastic example of how the community can work together with us and partner agencies such as BASBU, to solve problems and improve the quality of life for local people. We hope that this success sends out a clear message that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in our communities and that we will continue to work together to tackle it."
Councillor John Lines, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: "This appalling behaviour has gone on for long enough and I'm pleased the outcome. Our residents should be able to live their lives in peace without being subject to abuse from these yobs."
The parents of Troy Jennings and Jesse Walker have also been served Notice Seeking Possessions (NSPs) from Birmingham City Council due to breach of tenancy conditions as a result of their children’s behaviour.
Information leaflets will now be distributed to households within the exclusion zone, to encourage residents to report any breaches of the Orders.
Notes to editors
1. Please contact Lindsey Stubbins 0121 303 2160 for further information.
2. Birmingham Community Safety Partnership is a multi-agency partnership that brings together agencies including Birmingham City Council, West Midlands Police, West Midlands Fire Service and others who are all working together for a safer city.
