Court hits thief with 25-year ASBO covering licensed premises across Greater London

A 25-year anti-social behaviour order covering licensed premises across Greater London has been imposed on a prolific thief from the Hackney area.

Rodney Williams, 34 of no fixed address, was also sentenced to four years’ imprisonment for theft at Snaresbrook Crown Court earlier this month.

The defendant had pleaded guilty in May 2014 to 13 charges of theft.

The ASBO, which starts immediately, prevents Williams from entering any public house, bar, restaurant, café, club or other such licensed premises within Greater London unless with the expressed written consent of the owner or manager of the licensed premises (excluding supermarkets).

The defendant had been arrested on 19 April on suspicion of theft of a handbag from a licensed premises in Hoxton. He was subsequently interviewed and bailed to attend a local police station on 29 May, pending further enquiries.

Following enquiries, Williams was identified as a suspect for 12 further matters of theft from people in pubs, clubs and restaurants along the A10 corridor. He was arrested and charged in May.

Acting Chief Inspector Ian Simpkins, from Hackney Police, said: "This is an excellent result which has seen a prolific thief receive a suitably restrictive ASBO.

“This result would not have been possible without the extensive work carried out by PC William Brown from Hackney’s Anti-Social Behaviour Team and Hackney's Night-time Economy Team. They visited numerous establishments to prove the extent of his offences. Statements supporting the ASBO application were obtained, evidencing the impact these crimes had on the victims.”