Haverhill man Robert Rooney handed court order after anti-social behaviour incidents

A Haverhill man has been banned from consuming alcohol in public or talking to under-18s after incidents of anti-social behaviour.

Robert Rooney, 71, of Eastern Avenue, was handed a 24-month criminal behaviour order (CBO) at Suffolk Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

He was charged with two counts of anti-social behaviour, the court was told.

The first, on February 20, saw him approaching under-18s in breach of a previous community protection notice.

The second, on July 22, saw him behaving in a drunk and disorderly manner in High Street.

Rooney must not be caught in possession of any opened alcoholic beverages in public within an allotted area unless they were bought, with receipts available, and in a carrier bag with no intention of being consumed in the street.

He must also not approach anyone under the age of 18 unless it was for legitimate reasons, such as an emergency, and he must not ask them personal questions, including ones of a sexual nature.

Rooney should also not offer them money.

A failure to adhere to these requirements will mean he will be committing a criminal offence for which he could be sent to prison and or ordered to pay a fine.

PC Jack Oakley, from Suffolk Police, said the order came after months of work by Haverhill’s community policing team.

“The imposed conditions are designed to limit his opportunity to commit further offences while having the minimal impact on the normal tasks associated with anyone’s daily life,” PC Oakley said.

“The constabulary remains committed to using this type of legislation to prevent offending wherever possible in cases where a custodial sentence may be disproportionate or ineffective and we hope this brings a level of reassurance to the people of Haverhill.”