Gloucester man faces city ban for continued anti-social behaviour

A Gloucester man has been banned from parts of the city for a year after ignoring warnings to curb his continued anti-social behaviour.

Lee Coles, aged 40, was issued with an injunction by Gloucester County Court last month (Friday 26 August), following months of persistent anti-social behaviour that saw him fighting in the street, shouting expletives, and making threats and lewd remarks to members of the public and health professionals.

His behaviour was having an impact on the work of police staff, support staff, City Safe staff as well as their members, plus other professionals and members of the public.

However, despite numerous offers of help by the authorities, the levels of Coles' anti-social behaviour continued to escalate, including several reported issues at NHS sites. Solace reviewed and compiled all of the incidents relating to Coles, with support from other agencies, leading to the application being made to the County Court for an injunction.

The injunction, which runs until 26 August 2022, forbids Coles from:

1. Engaging in conduct which causes or is capable of causing alarm or harassment and distress to any person within the city of Gloucester including making lewd comments towards women;

2. Using or threatening to use violence against any person in the city of Gloucester;

3. Possessing an open vessel containing alcohol within the city of Gloucester;

4. Failing to immediately leave any Gloucester royal hospital or NHS owned department or building upon discharge;

5. Shouting or swearing or verbally abusing NHS staff including paramedics;

6. Entering an exclusion zone in the city.

Breaking the injunction could lead to Coles being brought back before the courts.

Solace Team Leader Louise Boyle said: "This injunction is as a result of a substantial amount of work by staff from Gloucester Neighbourhood Policing team, NHS and Solace. We are grateful for the support of partner agencies who assisted in this application.

"Mr Coles' behaviour was having a wide ranging impact on many people and he was worryingly at times threatening to physically hurt professionals who were undertaking their jobs with the aim of supporting him. Despite multiple outlets offering support, Mr Coles had repeatedly refused help.

"We hope that this legal action sends out a strong message to others that anti-social behaviour of this nature will not be tolerated in Gloucester.

"We are pleased to report that Mr Coles has now begun to accept support to treat his complex needs."

Ian Leese, Accredited Security Management Specialist (ASMS) with Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This is a great example of joint work between a number of agencies.

"It demonstrates how seriously we treat abuse directed at NHS professionals, as well as anti social behaviour more generally, and that we will not hesitate to take action when we need to.”

Solace is a team including members from Gloucester City Council, Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucestershire Constabulary.