Leek man banned from approaching females in England and Wales

A 45-year-old Leek man has been banned from approaching, communicating with or following females in public places across England and Wales such as to cause them alarm or distress. The ban lasts for a period of three years.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, working in partnership with Staffordshire Police, applied for an injunction against Timothy Thomas Amson, of Sneyd Street, following complaints about inappropriate approaches from several females in the town and in Hanley over a period of months last year.

It's the first time the Council has applied for an injunction under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

Councillor Mike Bowen, Cabinet Member for Community Safety at the Council, said: "It is clear that the actions of Mr Amson were causing alarm and distress to women in the Moorlands and in Stoke-on-Trent and this could not go unchallenged. We have acted, in partnership with the Police, to bring this to a halt and we are pleased the Court made the Order.

"This is the first time we've applied for an injunction of this nature and I hope this sends a very clear message that we will not tolerate behaviour that causes distress to anyone in our communities and we will always seek to take action where it protects the interests of our wider community."

The court heard evidence that a number of females had complained about Mr Amson's behaviour towards them over a period of several months dating back to January 2017.

Mr Amson denied the allegations when he appeared at Stoke County Court on Thursday 3 May. After hearing the evidence, the Judge granted the injunction which prohibits Mr Amson from:

• Following and/or approaching females in public places such as to cause them harassment, alarm or distress
• Communicating with females in any public place such as to cause them harassment, alarm or distress.

The injunction covers England and Wales and will be in place for three years.

Mr Amson was also ordered to pay costs of £8,000.

Chief Inspector Mark Thorley of Staffordshire Police said: "Mr Amson came to our attention in 2017 and despite advising him that his behaviour was unacceptable he persisted with his course of conduct which led to a number of complaints.

"We have worked together with our Council partners to address the distress he has caused and prevent further occurrences. I am delighted with this Order that will now protect women everywhere in England and Wales from the unwanted attention shown by Mr Amson."