Nottingham Neighbourhood police have secured a court order to protect businesses and the public from a prolific offender.
Jonathan Chattin, aged 36, has been handed a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), which bans him from large areas of Nottingham city centre for three years.
The only locations he can attend are Nottingham Central Jobcentre, Nottingham Probation Office, Emmanuel House Support Centre, Nottingham Wellbeing Hub, and Glasshouse Chemist.
This is so he can access support services to help him turn his life around.
Officers from the City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team sought the order following a series of incidents in recent times.
Magistrates heard that Chattin, previously of Bingham Road, Carrington, Nottingham, had been frequently arrested over the past three years for offences such as robbery, theft, assault, and possession of Class A drugs.
Under the terms of the order, Chattin is prohibited from entering an exclusion area as mapped out in his CBO.
Magistrates granted the CBO on Friday (31 January) after hearing detailed evidence from Sergeant Jono Pothecary, of the City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team.
In a statement to the court, Sgt Pothecary outlined the impact of Chattin’s frequent offending, which includes harassing members of the public by persistently begging.
Sgt Pothecary said:
“Begging is rife in the city of Nottingham. Beggars are signposted by the police to the relevant local authority services to get the help they need. I have spoken to John Chattin many times, during which I have tried to prevent him from committing offences.
“Owing to this, I have a good understanding of the help and support available to this individual. John Chattin was not homeless at the time of this initial application. However, he has since rendered himself homeless by returning the keys to his property, despite advice from services and police not to do this. He is now often seen sleeping rough and begging in the city centre.
“Begging should not be underestimated, as it causes harassment, alarm, and distress to citizens using the city for shopping, entertainment, or the night-time economy. Many families with young children visit the city and report feeling especially harassed when approached in this manner.
“Often, Chattin will leave litter where he has been sitting, including drug paraphernalia. This litter must mostly be cleaned by the local council at the public’s expense. The risk that drug paraphernalia poses to the public, particularly small children, should not be underestimated. In his latest offence, he spat at a shop worker while pretending to have a contagious disease. This is disgusting, and no one should ever be subjected to such an assault.
“He is a very difficult individual to deal with in custody, as he is known for making comments to try to frustrate the process of dealing with him. He has spat in a police vehicle, at the custody desk, and at me through the cell door while he was under constant observation due to his behaviour and demeanour in custody.
“We have exhausted the options available to us, and I am left with no choice but to suggest to the court that Chattin be made subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order.
“I believe this will have a significant positive impact on the city centre, leading to a reduction in crime and making those who visit, live, and work in Nottingham feel much safer.”
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