Get out of town!
Reporter: Andrew Rudkin
Date published: 25 October 2011
Gallery of yobs named and shamed
NOTORIOUS troublemakers in Oldham have been exposed after they were slapped with court orders in the past two months.
The gallery of yobs, which includes seven teenagers, are now banned from areas where they have made local residents’ lives a misery.
Among the group of youths given either anti-social behaviour or restraining orders were five girls who wreaked havoc at Cheapside Bus Station in Oldham town centre.
Alesha Khan (16), Carmen Julien (15), Jenna Crossley (16) and Jamie Leigh (14) were all handed two year anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) for their violent and abusive behaviour. Cerise Dalton (16) was given a 12-month restraining order. Each girl has a requirement that either restricts or bans them from the town-centre bus station, unless passing through on public transport.
Lee Moss (33), from Royton, is excluded from the Waters Edge Development in Shaw until October, 2016, after he was found guilty of homophobic, abusive and threatening behaviour. Troublemaker Abu Munahim (15) cannot step foot in Oldham town centre until September, 2013, because of his violent history.
Harry Swindles (23) is banned from an area in Springhead and Curtis Harland (15) has been ordered not to enter an area of Chadderton, both have a history of violence in those patches.
Jessica Albison (17), from Littlemoor, caused a torrid amount of harassment and intimidation in areas of Derker.
Lorraine Kenny, the anti-social behaviour team leader at Oldham community safety services, said the orders have the community’s protection as their first priority.
She said: “We take this action because it is necessary to protect the community.
“The orders are put in place because members of the community are put under distress because of that person or people.
“It is about early intervention and we give the individuals the chance to change their behaviour through support, interviews and warnings.
“But, if they continue with criminal activity or cause anti-social behaviour, then we have to take action.”
The total number of young people who came to the team’s attention with regards to anti-social behaviour from October, 2010, to September, 2011, was 935. They were all handed first warnings.
Those who received a second warning totalled 131, with around 50 per cent of those youths needing a warning interview.
Lorraine said an ASBO may be immediately imposed by the courts on anyone engaging in serious anti-social behaviour or criminality. There are currently 35 live orders across Oldham.
Game’s up for ASBO prostitute
Not pictured here is Kelly Devonport, a prostitute who continued to offend despite advice from police and other support services.
The 34-year-old, of Fleming Place, Westwood, was sentenced to a two-year conditional discharge and ASBO for three years following a police operation.
Operation Dalmore, launched in May, targeted areas of Westwood and Werneth after concerns from the communities over problems with prostitution.
Six sex-trade workers were identified and all issued with warnings. Lorraine Kenny said: “Five of the sex workers have engaged with services and further action against them has not proved necessary.
“Community Safety Services, Greater Manchester Police and our partner agencies will continue taking robust action against people who are involved in prostitution, and who do not avail themselves of the help and support which is on hand to divert them from these activities.”
Two warnings have also been issued to men involved in kerb-crawling as part of the ongoing operation.
Anyone who falls victim to anti-social behaviour, or witnesses an offence should call police on 0161-770 1573/1575.
Alternatively, email ccs.admin@oldham.gov.uk with all information treated confidentially.
