Man is jailed after breaching Great Yarmouth anti-social behaviour order

Great Yarmouth Borough Council's tenancy services team brought the prosecution after Jason Knowles, 42, continued to cause problems in the Louise Close area of the town after being issued with an anti-social behaviour order by magistrates last month.

Knowles, of no fixed abode, was banned from the Blackfriars area of Great Yarmouth after the council worked with Norfolk Police to secure the order following a number of complaints about his behaviour.

He was accused of being persistently verbally abusive, threatening people and on one occasion physically assaulting a resident.

But he was arrested and charged with breaching the order after he was seen in Louise Close on March 7. The next day council officers and police found him hiding in the pantry of a property.

He appeared before Norwich Magistrates' Court on March 8 and admitted breaching the order and was jailed for two months.

Sentencing Knowles, the judge warned him he risked a longer sentence if he continued to defy the order after his release from prison.

Councillor Graham Plant, Great Yarmouth Borough Council's portfolio holder for Operational Property and Asset Management, said: ''Frustratingly, despite the exhaustive efforts of housing officers and police, Mr Knowles continued to deliberately ignore the terms of the order.

''He has showed no sign of being prepared to engage with the authorities or people that might be able to help him. In the circumstances, Great Yarmouth Borough Council's tenancy services team had no alternative but to pursue a fresh prosecution due to the persistent and ongoing nature of his offending.''

If you are affected by anti-social behaviour associated with a council property, please contact the tenancy services team on 01493 846839 or via email at tenancy@great-yarmouth.gov.uk.