A YOUNG man who was a “persistent offender” has been banned from entering a large area of Poole town centre for three years.

Cameron Bhatt’s recent offending included having a large sword at the Dolphin Centre.

Bhatt, 19 and of Portland Young Offenders Institution, was jailed by magistrates sitting in Poole in October, however, he was back before the courts via video link from custody as police had applied for a criminal behaviour order.

The deputy district judge who presided over the hearing on November 29 approved the application from Dorset Police.

Police Constable Luke Taylor, of the Poole Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Cameron Bhatt is a persistent offender whose crimes over a sustained period include thefts, assaults and offences involving weapons.

“His behaviour has caused significant distress and concern for a number of individuals and businesses in the area of Poole town centre. We have worked hard to compile evidence to put before the court to secure this order, which we hope will protect those members of our local community from his offending behaviour in the future.

“We would urge members of the public with any information relating to potential breaches of the order to please report it to us.”

Bournemouth Echo:

The criminal behaviour order set Bhatt three prohibitions:

  • He must not enter the area of Poole as marked on a map which was provided to him. The area covers from Poole Quay along West Quay Road over Towngate Bridge through Poole bus station, over Seldown Bridge and back to Poole Quay
  • He must not be in possession of an open vessel of alcohol in the area of Poole
  • He must not to be in the company of any person under the age of 16 years old unless that child is accompanied by a parent, appropriate adult or professional

Bournemouth Echo:

As reported, Bhatt, previously of Langdon Road, Poole, was committed to prison for 26 weeks at a hearing on October 14 after he pleaded guilty to two counts of theft, one charge of having an offensive weapon in a public place and one allegation of failing to surrender to custody at court.

Criminal behaviour orders have been available to the courts for several years after they replaced the anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) and the drinking banning order (DBO).

For a criminal behaviour order to be imposed a court must be satisfied the offender has engaged in behaviour that caused or was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress and making the order will help in preventing the offender from engaging in such behaviour.

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