Asbos for alcoholic criticised

A Shrewsbury judge today criticised the use of Asbos for an alcoholic, saying it was not the right way to help him.

Judge Robin Onions jailed Peter Charles Dickens, 47, of Sundorne Road, Shrewsbury, for a year after he breached his Asbo twice and stole cider from the former Tesco store on Arlington Way.

At Shrewsbury Crown Court, Dickens admitted breaching the order, which bans him from drinking alcohol anywhere except in his own home, on March 8 and February 21.

Dickens also admitted taking cider worth £2.42 from Tesco on March 11 while on a suspended sentence.

Judge Onions said: “For a man with your difficulties to be subject to three separate Asbos is unhelpful.

“I have real doubts whether an Asbo is the right way to deal with someone who has chronic health problems and alcohol difficulties.”

He added: “I have suggested you are subject to one Asbo now with simple targeted conditions which you understand.”

Dickens was sentenced to six months in prison for each Asbo breach and the theft. A suspended sentence for a previous breach of an Asbo was also activated for six months.

Miss Claire Thompson, prosecuting, said Dickens had been drinking at a house in Moston Road with his on-off partner Carol Embrey.

Mr Trevor Meegan, for Dickens, said: “He was in a state of confusion as to what the anti social behaviour order prevented him from doing. He was not out on the streets causing a nuisance.”