Man fined for using threatening behaviour towards council staff

A man has been ordered to pay £458 in fines and costs after using threatening and intimidating behaviour towards one of our civic enforcement officers.

Shane Bell, 38, of Haughton Road, Darlington was charged with using threatening and intimidating behaviour towards the civic enforcement officer contrary to Section 11 of the Public Spaces Protection Order and Section 67(1), (2) and 68 of the Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 on 12 November last year.

Mr Bell was aggressive towards a civic enforcement officer, swearing repeatedly and threatening to assault the officer in Prebend Row in the town centre.

The case was proved in his absence at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 16 May, and he was fined £220 and ordered to pay £88 victim surcharge and £150 costs.

Anna Willey, ASB & civic enforcement manager at the council, said: “Our civic enforcement officers do their best to ensure Darlington is a pleasant and safe place to live work and visit.

“They do not deserve to be threatened while doing their job and this case should act as a reminder that we will take action against anyone who behaves in this way.”