Drinker faces 5 months in jail

Jul 15 2005 ~ By Chris Pragnell ~ South London Press

A Street drinker faces 160 days in prison if he takes another swig in public.

The alcoholic was given a suspended sentence after he admitted breaching an antisocial behaviour order (Asbo) three times.

He was one of four people in Camberwell served with the Asbo two months ago. They were banned from drinking, swearing, urinating or defecating in public in the SE5 postcode area.

But within days one was spotted flouting the civil order and supping strong lager in Camberwell.

Despite impending proceedings for the initial breach, magistrates heard he was seen on two other occasions disregarding the Asbo.

Camberwell magistrates gave him 30 days, 40 days and 90 days in jail for the three breaches - to run consecutively.

The bench suspended the sentence, saying any further breach of the original Asbo would inevitably mean the full tariff would be imposed.

Nick Stanton, Southwark council leader and executive member for community safety, welcomed the result.

He said: "This shows all agencies are continuing to take a tough line on people who breach their Asbos and demonstrates the continued vigilance in tackling street drinking in Camberwell.

"However, an Asbo is just one tool the council uses and other work is being carried out to assist those who are dependent on alcohol."

Southwark has refused to name the drinker. The sentencing on Wednesday last week followed repeated complaints about the behaviour of people boozing in the area.

Many complaints came from residents living near the Marina House drink treatment centre in Denmark Hill.

The facility, run by the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, has about 600 drinkers on its books.

Neighbours said groups of drinkers would congregate in the area before or after treatment, often causing a nuisance and causing a mess.

Their complaints to police and the council led to the four Asbos being served. These were the first orders on street drinkers in the borough.