A MAN has been banned from Durham City for two years.

Lee Cooke, 29, was handed a Criminal Behaviour Order from Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court, following an application by Durham Police to stop Cooke’s anti-social and criminal behaviour.

PC Darrell Brown from Durham City Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Cooke is known in the city for aggressively begging, causing anti-social behaviour and committing public order offences, all the while residing at an address in Stanley.

“This has been a collaborative effort in banning him from our city and we are extremely happy with the result. It is not acceptable to cause other people distress and I hope that this result will go towards giving local residents the peace of mind they deserve.”