RICHARD SYMINGTON

42-year-old Richard Symington has been made the subject of one of the toughest Asbos in the country as he is banned from causing trouble anywhere in Britain.

Symington caused mayhem in his home town of Sunderland, but now he has an Anti-social Behaviour Order banning him from breaching it anywhere in England and Wales!

Symington's Asbo prohibits him from using abusive, insulting or offensive language or behaviour to others, using or threatening violence towards any person, damaging or threatening violence to the property of any person, being in possession of open bottles, cans or cups of alcohol in a public place, and playing music in the property in which he resides which is audible from outside.

Symington, who has previous convictions for theft, criminal damage, fraud and public order offences, is one of very few people to have such a strict nation-wide order.

Sunderland council had been inundated with complaints from Symington's neighbours about his behaviour and he was made the subject of his second Asbo in November 2006.

But when Symington went to near-by Gateshead his order was no longer effective and the local authority was powerless to impose the conditions of his Asbo.

The anti-social yob had been downing alcohol in the street, shouting and swearing at residents, and playing music extremely loudly.

He was also reported for fighting in the street and subjecting innocent passers-by to threats and verbal abuse.

So Sunderland Council and Gateshead Council joined forces in court to try to amend the order.

They wanted it widened to include the Gateshead area, but were shocked when Sunderland magistrates amended it to include the whole of England and Wales to cater for his transient lifestyle.

"We are surprised and delighted by the decision of the magistrates," said Clare Tierney, Antisocial Behaviour Coordinator for Gateshead Council.

"We will now be circulating an antisocial behaviour leaflet to our partner agencies and to areas where we know Symington has caused problems in the past.

"The leaflet will include full details of the Asbo, so the public can help us by reporting him to the police should he continue to act antisocially."

Inspector Les Pattison, of Northumbria Police, said: "There are many recorded incidents of his drunken and antisocial behaviour and this decision sends out a strong message that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated."

It lasts until June 2009, but will be reviewed in November next year and returned to court to be extended by up to three more years.

(Richard Symington)

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