A man has been banned from an area where he waged a “campaign of fear” against residents during a wave of crime and antisocial behaviour.
Police and council chiefs united to take action against Nathan Lee and to support local residents who were fed up with his behaviour, which was having a major impact on the community.
The 23-year-old is now subject to a court injunction banning him from entering an area in Boughton and Yorke Drive in Newark and engaging in crime and antisocial behaviour.
Residents are also being encouraged to speak out if they see Lee (pictured) back in the area – or causing any further issues – as he could be given a hefty fine or jailed for breaching the injunction.
Lee, of Bentinck Close, Boughton, Newark, had been involved in a number of incidents including violence, drugs and public order offences which he had been sentenced for in court dating back to 2016.
The injunction prohibits a range of activities, including engaging or threatening to engage in any conduct causing or likely to cause a nuisance, alarm, harassment or distress to any person residing or otherwise lawfully int hose areas, using verbally abusive or intimidating language, using or threatening to use violence to any other person and causing damage to any property which does not belong to him personally.
Lee is also prohibited from carrying or having in his possession any weapon or item that would be classed as a weapon by a member of the public and also entering into any other property owned by Newark and Sherwood District Council with the exception of one named property in Boughton and one in Yorke Drive.
Chief Inspector Heather Sutton, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We welcome this injunction placed against Lee after his continued antisocial behaviour throughout the two areas of Newark.
“His behaviour was having a major impact upon the community and by working closely with council colleagues we have been able to successfully secure this injunction to help prevent further harm to residents and help them feel safer.
“If Lee is found to be flouting any of these conditions placed against him by the county court, we can arrest him and haul him back up in front of the courts where he could end up serving time in prison.
“An enormous amount of work has gone into securing this and injunctions like these are just one of many tools we can use to help tackle and reduce violence.
“I want to reassure the public that we will continue to work tirelessly, shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners, to crack down on violent and antisocial behaviour in our communities and that no one should feel scared of speaking to us and asking for help.
“Our officers are there to help people and tackle issues like these and residents in the Boughton and Yorke Drive areas should rest assured that is we catch Lee breaking this injunction we will act and arrest him.
“We would like to urge anyone who sees Lee in these prohibited areas to get in touch with us as soon as they can so we can.”
Councillor David Lloyd, leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said the injunction, granted on 22 September, showed this kind of behaviour would not be tolerated.
“Mr Lee repeatedly frightened others with unacceptable antisocial behaviour and serious crime, effectively running a campaign of fear in Boughton,” he said.
“We will not tolerate this and the courts too have recognised the severity of the case against Mr Lee and have ordered an injunction against him.
“Residents were terrified of Mr Lee and his two henchman. These residents would report incidents to the Police but no one would give a statement due to the fear of revenge attacks.
“No-one should be afraid to give evidence against a criminal, but in this case it has happened repeatedly.
“It is for this reason that the injunction now means anyone is able to provide information to the police on Mr Lee and it will be investigated and if proved, the court can issue the appropriate fines or sentences to him.
“This is partnership working at its best and a great example of how we, as a district council, will stop at nothing to keep our residents safe.”
If anyone sees Lee committing any crime or antisocial behaviour, please report this to the police immediately by calling 999.
While Nottinghamshire Police and district council officers will be visiting the areas regularly, people are encouraged to report anything they see.
