A BISHOP Auckland man has been given an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) banning him from being drunk in public places.

Magistrates in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, imposed the two year ASBO on Paul Williams, 58, after a request by Durham Police and Durham County Council.

A spokesman for the police and council said: “Williams has been involved in persistent anti-social behaviour including drunken and disorderly behaviour and being drunk and incapable in public, across numerous areas of South Durham and Darlington.

“Bishop Auckland Neighbourhood Police Team and the council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Team have worked together with the local community to gather evidence over several months.

“Prior to making this application, attempts had been made to work with Williams and offer support to address his behaviour, to no avail.”

The order will run until January 28, 2016, and bans Williams from harassing, threatening, intimidating or abusing any person and from being drunk and disorderly or drunk and incapable in any open area used by the public.

He is also banned from entering any premises from which he has been barred in writing and is not allowed to refuse to leave a premises if he has been requested to do so.

The final part of the ASBO bans him form encouraging others to commit any of the acts prohibited by the order.

The spokeswoman said: “Should Williams breach any of these conditions he will be arrested for breach of ASBO in addition to any criminal offences and put before the Court.

“Anyone who suspects Williams may have breached his ASBO should ring Durham Police on 101.”