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order, drug testing and
treatment order

Disposals Maximum Maximum five Maximum five n/a
available if five years’ years’ years’
ASBO imprisonment. imprisonment; imprisonment;
breached - community community community order,
adult order, order, absolute absolute
absolute discharge, fine discharge, fine,
discharge, compensation compensation
fine, order, deferred order, deferred
compensation sentence sentence
order,
deferred
sentence
Untouchable gang’s reign of terror on a anti-social behaviour response courts Issue
A gang of 10 youths who believed they were beyond the reach of the law were regularly
terrorising vulnerable residents on a street in Thornton, Merseyside. The youths had been
smashing windows, breaking into and throwing missiles at vehicles, and verbally abusing
people, Victims included the young, elderly and vulnerable and the gang’s behaviour created
such fear locally that residents would not go out after dark or leave their properties
unattended. Many of them installed CCTV Only the most serious incidents were repented at
the time they occurred but victims would not press charges for fear of being singled out and
targeted by the gang.
Merseyside street ends in the Approach
The neighbourhood police officer carried out a detailed investigation of the problem to bring
a case for arresting the perpetrators and bringing them before the courts.
Previous police logs and reports were scrutinised, and impact statements taken from the
majority of witnesses in anonymity to use as hearsay evidence. One family, which had been
singled out by the perpetrators, was given support by the police with daily contact and visits.
The victims installed CCTV and kept a diary of all the incidents which was exhibited as
evidence.
The police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) worked closely together to prepare the case
and the police gathered strong evidence. Interviews with perpetrators were carefully planned
so that when faced with
139,
Simon Cordell’s Skeleton Argument (2) Pdf
Antisocial behaviour orders: The busies
the evidence against them all 10 perpetrators admitted their responsibility.
In advance of the case, the CPS specialist prosecutor for the area worked to set up a special
anti-social behaviour response court. Advance disclosure of evidence to the judge and other
parties prior to the court hearing meant that the case was dealt with quickly once in court.

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