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Aberdeenshire alcohol related assaults case

Area

Aberdeenshire

Intelligence - what was the nature of the antisocial behaviour?

The perpetrator, a 23 year old male came to notice for three serious violent assaults committed in the Fraserburgh Town Centre area over a one year period.

The perpetrator appeared to have alcohol related issues and all three assaults occurred of a weekend when he had been drinking heavily. The assaults were escalating in their severity

Involvement - which partners were involved?

Grampian PoliceAberdeenshire Council ASB Team
The perpetrators solicitor

Intervention(s) - which intervention(s) were used and why?

An ASB Case Conference was convened in mid 2006 and permission was granted to make an application for an ASBO.

A case was prepared for an interim ASBO and lodged with Peterhead Sheriff Court.

However, prior to a date being set the perpetrator received a custodial sentence for the assaults.

Implementation - how were the intervention methods realised in practice?

On the release from prison of his client, the perpetrator's Solicitor made contact with Aberdeenshire Council ASB Team and intimated that although the interim ASBO had not been granted that his client was aware that if he did not amend his offending behaviour he would be subject to an ASBO. The perpetrator did not want to be banned from Fraserburgh Town Centre for a three year period and voluntarily agreed to abide by the terms of the ASBO for a trial period as if it had been granted.

There have been regular case conferences held to review the case and contact with the Solicitor involved.

Impact - what were the outcomes for the perpetrator, the victims and the wider community?

To date the perpetrator has not come to police attention for assaults or for anti social behaviour.

His Solicitor keeps in regular contact with the ASB Team and if the perpetrator continues to adhere to the spirit of the ASBO intervention then in due course the motion for an Interim ASBO will be repealed.

Are there any practices/experiences you have gained during this Intervention that would influence the handling of future Interventions?

The experience of initiating an ASB Case Conference and  pursuing a motion for an Interim ASBO has proved worthwhile. In cases such as this one where there is not a prolonged period of offending behaviour it cannot be taken for granted that an Interim ASBO will be granted by the court. The threat has been enough to change the perpetrators behaviour.

It has proved to be a pragmatic and cost effective solution to the problem but unfortunately the intervention will not appear anywhere on official statistics.

More information about this type of intervention

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