AN interim anti-social behaviour order was imposed on Richard Branch today, even though he was too drunk to be brought before magistrates. Security staff had excluded Branch from Wisbech courthouse but his case went ahead in his absence. Magistrates were

AN interim anti-social behaviour order was imposed on Richard Branch today, even though he was too drunk to be brought before magistrates.

Security staff had excluded Branch from Wisbech courthouse but his case went ahead in his absence.

Magistrates were told how Branch has committed a string of anti-social acts within the town centre, including incidents of being abusive to security staff and causing a disturbance when drunk.

Under the terms of the ASBO, 40year-old Branch, of Oakroyd Crescent, Wisbech, is banned from the town centre, and is prohibited from abusing, insulting, harassing, threatening or acting in a manner likely to cause nuisance, harassment, alarm or distress.

He is also banned from the town centre shops when attending appointment with the probation service or Addaction, or when at the bus station.

Fenland magistrates heard about a catalogue of incidents Branch had been involved in, on dates between February 4 and March 2.

On two occasions he used foul and abusive language towards a security officer at the Horsefair centre, he caused a disturbance outside the Tavern pub when drunk, and on another occasion he kicked a bin next to the security officer at the Horsefair centre when drunk.

The interim order will last until a full application is heard by the court on Friday May 22.

An application to impose an ASBO on 19-year-old Anthony Horn, of Tinkers Drove, Wisbech, was adjourned for a date to be fixed; and an application to impose an ASBO on 52-year-old Loran Freedman, of Copperfields, Wisbech, was adjourned for one week.