ASBO bans homeless drunk from drinking in churches

A PROLIFIC street drinker, who hurls drunken abuse at churchgoers in Littlehampton and Worthing, as been given an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO).
By Tom Cotterill
Published 27th Aug 2014, 13:52 BST
Richard Gray, 45, has been given an ASBO for his lewd behaviourRichard Gray, 45, has been given an ASBO for his lewd behaviour
Richard Gray, 45, has been given an ASBO for his lewd behaviour

Homeless Richard Gray, 45, has been given an ASBO for his behaviour in the Worthing and Littlehampton area.

PC Steve Self said: “Gray is a homeless street drinker who spends much of his time drunk, often in churchyards shouting abuse at others who visit. We have received almost 30 reports in the past six months relating to his drunkeness, threatening behaviour and other anti social behaviour.”

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Gray appeared at Chichester Magistrates Court on Friday (August 22) and received the order for five years for using threatening, abusive, intimidating behaviour or language which had caused harasssment, alarm or distress.

The order means he can’t enter or be in the grounds of, St Mary’s Church, Climping, St Mary’s Church, Yapton, Church of St Mary Magdalene, Lyminster, Convent of Poor Claire’s, Arundel, St Andrew’s Church, Ferring, St Mary’s Church, Compton Avenue, Goring, Goring-by-Sea Methodist Church, English Martyrs Catholic Church, Goring and Hurst Avenue, Worthing.

He is not allowed to drink alcohol in the grounds of any places of worship in West Sussex or have any open alcohol containers in a public place.

The order will last until August 21, 2019.