Persistent offender served with Anti-Social Behaviour Order

A woman who has persistently intimidated people living and working in Matson has been served with a civil Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction (ASBI).

Kerry Ludlow, aged 44, was handed the order after it was ratified by Cheltenham and Gloucester County Court earlier this month.

It followed numerous incidents involving Ludlow engaging in heavy street drinking, public order offences, and sleeping in doorways, despite being housed. Members of the public also reported being intimidated by Ludlow and a group of other street drinkers, who plague the Matson shops engaging in anti-social behaviour, often in front of children. 

The case was brought against Ludlow by Solace, a joint team of officers from Gloucestershire Constabulary, Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council.

Solace officer Matt Roberts said: “Ludlow has been disruptive in Matson for some time. She was subject to an Acceptable Behaviour Contract, which she has contemptuously ignored, and even had a Closure Order on her residence, the terms of which she failed to adhere to.

“This injunction is an attempt to curtail her persistent, unacceptable behaviour.”

Sergeant Tom Francis, of Gloucester Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “The work carried out in obtaining this ASBI is jointly credited to the local PCSOs and Solace.

“The fact that such orders carry the power of arrest goes to show that these types of incident should not and will not be tolerated within the community.

“We will continue to work towards making Gloucester a pleasant environment free from such anti-social behaviour.”

The civil injunction order imposed by the courts forbids Ludlow (whether by herself or by instructing or encouraging or permitting any other person) from:  

1. Engaging in conduct that causes or is likely to cause alarm or harassment or distress to any person living in or visiting the area of Matson, Gloucester at any time;
2. Using or threatening to use violence towards any person living in or visiting the area of Matson, Gloucester at any time;
3. Being in a public place with an open bottle or open can or cup or glass containing alcohol within the area of Matson, Gloucester at any time;
4. Entering the Matson Avenue area close to the parade of shops.

Anyone witnessing Ludlow breaching her ASBI is asked to contact the police on 101 or the Solace team on 01452 396396.