Disgusting yobs banned from streets

Eight menace drinkers who plagued St Peter's Gardens and allowed Staffordshire bull terrier dogs off leads were today starting two-year anti-social behaviour orders after their behaviour was described as "disgusting" by a district judge.

Click here to see the gallery of shame.

The louts, who range in age from 17 to 45, congregated at the picturesque spot next to Wolverhampton Art Gallery swearing and abusing passers-by and wedding parties as they swigged cider and lager.

Wolverhampton Magistrates Court heard how mothers with pushchairs were so wary of the eight, they struggled up the front steps of the Lichfield Street gallery rather than use the ramps at the side.

Police and council workers yesterday presented a damning catalogue of bad behaviour that resulted in the eight being given Asbos banning them from drinking alcohol outdoors anywhere in the city apart from in beer gardens.

Officers told how the group was so determined to defy the law they would hide bottles and cans in their trousers or head straight for the nearest off-licence to replace any drink that was poured down the drain by police.

Before the court claiming they had not intimidated anyone were Keith Hudson, aged 45, of Temple Street, Bilston; Stacey Terry, 19, of Manby Close, Whitmore Reans; Michael Boleyn, 17, also of Manby Close, Whitmore Reans; Gary Ashfield, 28, of Colley Avenue, Low Hill; Daniel Bolton, 23, of St Chad's Road, Fallings Park; Lee Cooper, 33, of Central Drive, Coseley, and Peter Allatt, 30, of Wolverhampton.

An eighth man, David Thomas, aged 30, of Harper Avenue, Wednesfield, did not dispute the Asbos and is currently serving a five-month jail sentence for carrying a blade.

Only Boleyn denied he had been drinking alcohol but everyone accepted they had been hanging around the gardens.

Despite the overwhelming evidence, all claimed they had done nothing to upset passers-by and officer workers trying to enjoy a quiet sandwich in the grounds of St Peter's Church.

But the court heard a very different account from people who were trying to go about their daily lives only to be confronted by abuse and drunken behaviour.

Education consultant Karl Bird, who works for recruitment agency Select Education opposite the gardens, said: "We recruit nursery nurses but we have found that sometimes they have not turned up for an interview. When we called to find out why they said they were intimidated by people drinking alcohol and decided to go away. We need to recruit new people but the business is likely to go to other agencies if we cannot do this."

He said he had also been approached for money on his way in and out of work.

Wolverhampton Art Gallery worker Janine Perry told the court people with pushchairs avoid using the ramps at the side entrance of the building and instead struggle up the front stairs to avoid the drinkers.

She said: "Staff have attended courses on dealing with aggression. Our toilets are for gallery visitors but we have to turn away people under the influence of drink or drugs. When we have turned these people away they have become aggressive."

Drinker Stacey Terry told the court she had gone in to the gallery to look at the exhibits.

Eight police officers including two constables, five community support officers and a sergeant, were summoned to confirm their statements.

Most were not read out in court. Sgt Steve Knight of Bilston Street police station said temporary orders imposed on the group in December had worked.

He said: "The problem is still there but it has been better. Lee Cooper, Peter Allatt and Gary Ashfield have all been found to be in breach since the order was imposed."

In his defence Hudson said: "I'm not saying I haven't been there. I've been approached by the police when I've had a can. I go in summer. It's part of Wolverhampton and I'm entitled to go aren't I?"

Lee Cooper admitted he had been drinking in St Peter's Gardens but denied being anti-social. He said: "I have never been aggressive and I don't use bad language.

"I didn't know at the time that I wasn't allowed to have my Staffordshire bull terriers off the lead. They don't fight with other dogs or cause problems."

Mr Glyn Whitehouse, defending Hudson, said: "He admits he has drunk from alcoholic drinks cans but there could be someone sitting opposite him drinking from a can of Coca Cola – does that make his behaviour any more anti-social?"

Mr David Dorrance, defending the others, said: "It is not accepted that they were hanging around in a large group. They have come to the city centre with others but not in the way that would cause harassment, alarm or distress."

Giving them Asbos, District Judge Brown said: "This group has behaved in a disgusting manner and you have intimidated or frightened members of the public who need to be protected from your appalling conduct. "You have even continued to behave in this way in court today."

Ch Supt Richard Green, of Bilston Street police station, today said: "We have tried a number of measures to prevent these individuals from committing offensive behaviour, however, they have blatantly disregarded these which is why we have, together with the city council, applied for the Asbos."

Click here to see the gallery of shame.