A man from Barnstaple has been fined after being found guilty of breaching a Public Spaces Protection Order in Barnstaple town centre (PSPO) following a successful prosecution by North Devon Council (NDC) on Tuesday 30 August. 

The PSPO which is in place in Barnstaple and Ilfracombe town centres aims to target antisocial behaviours such as street drinking, drug use, public urination and aggressive begging (using intimidating language or actions, or begging within five metres of a pay point or cash machine).

Magistrates heard that the man was seen publicly urinating at Church Walk next to Barnstaple Parish Church on Tuesday 12 April. Evidence was given by the council's Antisocial Behaviour Officer as well as information on the man looking embarrassed when caught in the act. Despite this, the individual did not accept the fixed penalty notice.

Leader of North Devon Council, Councillor David Worden, says: “Our town centres should be places where people feel welcome and safe. Residents and visitors shouldn’t have to put up with antisocial behaviour which is committed by the minority. These prosecutions make it very clear to everyone that we take the PSPO terms very seriously and will prosecute anyone who decides to breach them."

The individual did not attend court but was fined £100, with a victim surcharge of £34.

A person who fails to comply with the PSPO requirement has committed an offence under section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.