Boater gets an ASBO

A NARROWBOAT owner has been given a two years anti-social behaviour order after drunken parties on the Nottingham Canal in the city, and banned from a local supermarket.

Benjamin Wincott, together with two other boaters, moored their boats outside the canalside bars along the waterway throwing noisy open air parties.

Many complaints

This resulted in many complaints by both pub and restaurant staff about the parties, that went on between March and October last year, which eventually resulted in a joint investigation by Nottingham City Community Protection, British Waterways and Nottinghamshire Police.

Police officers visited Wincott, asking him to step off the boat so they could speak with him about his behaviour but were sworn at, and so the officers then escorted him off his boat.

Not only was he causing disturbance by the waterway, but had to be  subdued by officers using a CS spray  at the Sainsbury's supermarket by Castle Marina.

Arrested

He was eventually arrested for public order offences, and given the two years Asbo by Nottingham Magistrates' Court.

This forbids him from being abusive or threatening towards any person engaged in lawful activity, playing music which is audible outside his boat causing nuisance to those in the vicinity, having an open container of alcohol in a public space or building, and mooring any boat on the canal between Carrington Street and Castle Bridge Road.

Banned from Sainsbury's

It also bans him from entering the Sainsbury's supermarket at Castle Marina Retail Park at any time, after causing so much disturbance.

He was told that any breach of the conditions will be enforced by the police, and could result in imprisonment for up to five years.

British Waterways too are taking the matter seriously, with a spokesman explaining:

"British Waterways will continue to work closely with Community Protection and the police to ensure that boaters like Mr Wincott do not ruin the canal for other residents and visitors. In doing so we will ensure that our waterways remain a pleasant experience for everyone."

Wincott's narrowboat is at present moored at Beeston Rylands, but  he has not been seen since December.