Violent thief banned from Sheffield city centre

A violent thief has been given a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) which prevents him from entering Sheffield city centre.

Officers worked with Sheffield Safer Neighbourhood Service to secure a CBO which is now active for Gavin Reynolds who was found guilty of assault, racially aggravated harassment and criminal damage following a trial at Sheffield Magistrates' Court on Tuesday (16 April).

Reynolds, 34, of Lytton Crescent, Sheffield, had already pleaded guilty to possession of a Class B drug, theft from a shop and criminal damage at an earlier hearing, with all the offences taking place in Sheffield city centre.

He was found not guilty of two counts of assault, using threatening behaviour to cause harassment, using threatening behaviour to provoke violence and possession of a Class C drug during the same trial.

Following his conviction, Reynolds was given a 21-week sentence suspended for a year as well as the CBO, which comes with strict conditions.

Acting Inspector for Sheffield City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) Darius Razaghi said: "CBOs are used to deal with people who are known to engage relentlessly in antisocial behaviour or low-level crime and they are not used lightly.

"Reynolds was a menace to shoppers and workers in Sheffield city centre and this order now prevents him from setting foot in the area.

"He must also leave any retail or commercial premises if asked to do so by the owner and cannot approach people for money.

"If Reynolds breaks any of the terms of this order, it would be a civil contempt of court which can lead to a fine or imprisonment.

"We are glad this order has been approved and we hope it will give Reynolds the chance to think about his actions and the misery he has caused others in the city centre."

The full terms of Reynolds’ CBO prevent him from doing the following:

1. Remaining on any retail or commercial premises if asked to leave by an owner, occupier or other person acting on behalf of the owner / occupier of such premises

2. Entering Sheffield city centre as defined in the map attached in Exhibit GR/1 - (This areas encompasses the A61, Saint Mary's Gate, Hannover Way, Upper Hannover Street, University Square Roundabout, Brook Hill, Broad Lane, Tenter Street, West Bar Green and Corporation Street back onto A61)

Except for:

(a) attending appointments with solicitors by prior arrangement

(b) attending Court appearances

(c) attending appointments with the Benefits Agency by prior arrangement

(d)attending appointments with Probation Service by prior arrangement

(e) attending appointments with NHS services / substance misuse services by prior arrangement

3. Sitting, sleeping or loitering in an area accessible to members of the public with any item or article which would give another person the impression that you are begging (such as a sleeping bag, cup, hat or sign)

4. Approaching persons unknown and ask for money save as part of:

• A contract of employment or legitimate benefit claim

• A retail purchase or a banking transaction.

5. Using or encouraging others to use foul, abusive, insulting, offensive, threatening, disorderly or intimidating language or behaviour in any place in Sheffield or towards any person.