Alcoholic pest 50 jailed

A man described by police as a "public nuisance" has been jailed for three months after refusing to observe a court order banning him from New Addington's dispersal area.

Alan Taylor, of Kennelwood Crescent, was sentenced after previously being found in the area around central New Addington on numerous occasions.

Sergeant Janet Bridger, from the New Addington Safer Neighbourhoods Team, said: "He's had enough warnings. This was inevitable. He has had more than enough opportunities to get himself sorted out."

Taylor was arrested on July 29 in Central Parade for breaching the dispersal order.

It banned him from Central Parade, Salcot Crescent, Chertsey Crescent, Overbury Crescent, Cudham Drive and the front of St Edward's Church at the end of the parade.

The 50-year-old alcoholic was only allowed in these areas on Mondays and Wednesdays between 10am and 12pm to go shopping or visit the bank.

In September, Sergeant Bridger reported that he was very rarely sober and an intimidating sight when drunk.

Speaking at the time, she said: "Mr Taylor is a public nuisance. He usually has a can of beer or bottle of cider in his hand and uses loud, foul and abusive language. He is now being moved on or arrested on a daily basis."

Taylor was given an interim ASBO at Croydon Magistrates' Court on December 1 and he is due to return to court on January 31 to discover whether he will be given a full ASBO.

But, speaking after he was sentenced this week, Sergeant Bridger said: "I don't know whether he will be out of prison in time for his ASBO hearing."

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