A man who set up a home in a shack near a police station has been hit with a court order.
For nearly a year Abbas Gravand has been living in the makeshift shelter to the rear of the police station and the new Boho X building in Middlesbrough.
Numerous attempts have been made to engage with him to offer support and alternative housing but without success.
Gravand’s behaviour has worsened in recent months, with crimes attributed to him including fly-tipping and the theft of council equipment such as parking machines and bollards.
At a hearing at Teesside Magistrates’ Court, he was made the subject of a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order and ordered to pay £400 in compensation to Middlesbrough Council.
Under the order he is banned from:
- Threatening, intimidating, using or offering violence, verbally or physically, towards any person employed by the Local Authority or emergency services.
- Carrying or having with him any item intended as a weapon.
- Threatening to cause damage to property
- Fly-tipping
- Setting fire to any rubbish or waste
Dale Metcalfe, Middlesbrough Council’s Operational Community Safety Manager, said: “We’ve done everything we can to support this individual, and this court order was a last resort.
“Any breach of the conditions is a criminal offence, and all breaches will be reported to Cleveland Police who will take action.”
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Councillor Janet Thompson, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive member for Community Safety, added: “Support is always available for those who find themselves homeless, and our officers have done everything they can to help this individual access housing, health and other services.
“This court order is a necessary last resort to protect our officers, the individual and the wider community from behaviour that is simply not acceptable.
“We will continue to try to engage with them and find them alternative accommodation and support.”
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