ASBO given to begger

A two year anti-social behaviour order against an aggressive beggar has been made to protect residents and visitors to the town centre by police working with Watford Borough Council. Timothy Hart, aged 35, and of St Albans Road, Watford, appeared at Stevenage Magistrates Court on Friday December 5.  Hart was given a two-year order to prevent him from begging in Watford town centre following a series of abusive incidents at cash machines and indecent acts including defecating in public. The order prevents Mr Hart from: Encamping in any public place in the Borough of Watford, Seeking or accepting monies from any member of the public by begging, in England and Wales, Entering Watford Town Centre, as defined by the attached map, save for appointments for medical assistance or pre-arranged probation appointments, Obstructing Watford Borough Council officers in the execution of their duties, Displaying open wounds, spitting, urinating or defecating in public, in England and Wales. PC Rob Clarke, from the Watford Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “We received a number of calls about Mr Hart’s behaviour in the town centre and initially tried to tackle this by offering him places to seek advice and support for his addiction. “However despite our best efforts, and after he was arrested for a number of public order and criminal damage offences, we felt we were left with no alternative but to seek an ASBO in partnership with Watford Borough Council. I hope that businesses and people in the town centre will now have some respite from his behaviour and that the town will be a more pleasant place.” Liam Fitzgerald, from Watford Borough Council’s community safety team, said: “Mr Hart has continually refused all offers of help. It is understandable that visitors to the town would feel sorry for him but actually he is a class A drug user who has been both aggressive and abusive to people. “Giving money may seem a compassionate thing to do but it can be counter-productive if that money is fuelling a drug addiction. The ASBO was the last option but hopefully now Mr Hart will consider seeking help – of which there is plenty available in the town.”