Barnstaple and Ilfracombe street drinkers given Criminal Behaviour Orders at court

Barnstaple Magistrates' Court

Two men have been given Criminal Behaviour Orders for antisocial behaviour at court following successful prosecutions from North Devon Council.

Vincent Raynor, of no fixed abode, and Karl Perring of St George's Road, Barnstaple, appeared at Barnstaple Magistrates' Court for separate hearings on Monday, 20 October.

Raynor was found guilty of failing to comply with a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) and breaching a Community Protection Notice (CPN).

The court heard that on 1 May 2025 Raynor was seen to be drinking alcohol in Runnymede Gardens in Ilfracombe before urinating in a stream. A CPN was issued following the incident. On 18 June he refused to comply with a dispersal notice which was issued to him for drinking alcohol in the gardens.

Raynor's Criminal Behaviour Order was made for one year, and he was also ordered to pay £150 comprising a £100 fine and £50 in costs.

Perring pleaded guilty to continued breaches of a CPN issued to him in February 2025. Street marshals in Barnstaple identified 39 incidents involving Perring drinking in the PSPO area following the notice, including an incident on 19 September in which he was seen urinating in Paternoster Row in full view of the public.

Perring's Criminal Behaviour Order was made for one year, and he was ordered to pay £50 in costs.

Councillor David Clayton, Leader of North Devon Council, said: "These prosecutions, which include the issuing of two Criminal Behaviour Orders, should make it clear that we will take robust action against those who continually behave in an antisocial manner and disregard the rules we have in place to ensure North Devon is a place everyone can enjoy safely.

"Antisocial behaviour is committed by a small minority, but it can have a huge impact on the lives of our communities, and we are committed to working in partnership with Devon and Cornwall Police and other agencies to ensure our town centres are safe places to live, work and visit."

More information on antisocial behaviour, including how to report it, can be found on the council's website.