Man jailed for 171 days after breaching anti-social behaviour injunction hours after being released from prison
A man who breached his anti-social behaviour injunction in Great Yarmouth within 12 hours of being released from prison has been jailed again for more than five months.
David Steventon, 58, appeared from prison via video link at Norwich County Court sitting at the town's magistrates' court on April 16, following his arrest on April 9 and subsequent remand.
Admitting five breaches of the injunction imposed on him, Steventon, of no-fixed abode, was jailed for 171 days and Great Yarmouth Borough Council - which brought the prosecution - was awarded costs of £1,987.
The court heard the defendant was previously jailed for 16 weeks for repeatedly breaching an anti-social behaviour injunction granted against him in November 2024. The order prevented him entering parts of the town centre and Gorleston because his street drinking and behaviour was causing such a nuisance to the public.
Prosecutors acting on behalf of the council said Steventon, who uses a wheelchair, gripped one victim round the neck and held her shirt tightly. A witness who came to her aid had to use considerable force to remove the defendant's arm.
During sentencing, Steventon became disruptive, swore and banged on a door before leaving the room at the prison.
Judge Wahiwala said the defendant showed no remorse and there were no mitigating circumstances, adding there had been persistent breaches of the injunction and that Steventon had behaved aggressively in front of the court.
Jailing Steventon and awarding costs, Judge Wahiwala granted him a 25 per cent reduction of his prison sentence for admitting the offences and for having served a week on remand.
The defendant has been a familiar figure in the centre of Great Yarmouth for the past few years, often outside the Sports Direct store and, latterly, in the doorway of a former cash-and-carry shop in King Street.
The injunction, granted against him for his anti-social behaviour, followed repeated attempts by a number of agencies to assist Steventon. This included sourcing accommodation where his drinking was permitted.
A council spokesperson said: ''It was important we brought this prosecution to protect the public and to demonstrate that the small minority of people whose behaviour harms the community will face the full force of the law when appropriate.
''We are grateful to Norfolk Police and Norfolk County Council who worked in partnership with the council to help ensure we were able to bring this prosecution.
''Residents want a town centre that is safe, clean and welcoming and, where anti-social behaviour is affecting that, we will take action.''
Safer Neighbourhood Inspector Andy Tomlinson said: "We take anti-social behaviour (ASB) within our district very seriously, especially within Great Yarmouth town centre where we know this can have a significant impact on how safe the area feels to residents and visitors.
"With the addition of a further three Beat Managers in the town centre, our officers will continue working hard alongside partners to disrupt ASB when it occurs, report offenders for breaching the Public Spaces Protection Order, and bring repeat offenders before the courts.
"We encourage anyone who has concerns about ASB in their area to report it to us via the online reporting form, or by calling 101.''
