A man who committed a number of drug and begging offences in Weymouth has been handed a Criminal Behaviour Order.

John Mark Poole, aged 24 and of no fixed abode, was handed a five-year-order at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, July 6 2017 after being convicted of possessing class A drugs.

Poole has been arrested 26 times in Dorset since 2007 and has been involved in 53 incidents recorded by police since July 2016.

The majority of the incidents related to drugs, rough sleeping and begging and have predominantly occurred in Weymouth town centre.

Following collaborative work involving the Weymouth Neighbourhood Policing Team and the Dorset Councils Partnership Anti-Social Behaviour Team, Poole was issued with an Acceptable Behaviour Contract in February 2016 but breached the agreement within two days.

Further Anti-Social Behaviour Risk Assessment Conferences were held but Poole’s behaviour failed to improve.

The Criminal Behaviour Order is in place for five years and states that Poole must not:

• Act or incite others to behave in an anti-social manner, that is to say, a manner that causes harassment, alarm or distress to any people within the commission area of Dorset.

• Act or incite others to use threatening, insulting or abusive words or behaviour in any place to which the public has access in the commission area of Dorset.

• Enter the commission area of The Esplanade in Weymouth. The area covered is from the groyne by Sluice Gardens to the Pleasure Pier behind the Pavilion Theatre. He is also prohibited from entering King Street in Weymouth from the junction with The Esplanade to the Westham cross roads and St Thomas Street and St Mary Street.
  Poole is also required to engage with EDP drug and alcohol services at least once a week until discharged by EDP.

Police Sergeant Jane Moore, of Weymouth police, said: “Poole’s behaviour has caused concern for residents and businesses in Weymouth for a number of years and his offending has deteriorated further in the last two years.

“Officers have been working jointly with the Dorset Councils Partnership Community Safety Team to secure this order so we can reduce the impact of his behaviour.

“I hope this order also sends a message to the local community that we will take action when concerns are raised in relation to the rough sleeper and street drinking community in the town."