Asbo for baby-faced lout who terrorised Bridlington for four years

THIS is the baby-faced lout who has been terrorising an East Riding community since he was nine.

Now aged 13, Jordan Kemp Withey has been slapped with a two-year antisocial behaviour order (Asbo) that covers the whole of the Humberside Police area.

Withey's crimes started on Bridlington's Havenfield estate but soon spread elsewhere.

They have included criminal damage, theft, trespassing and causing harassment, alarm and distress.

PC Jason Scotter, of Bridlington Neighbourhood Team, said: "The Asbo will aim to reduce Jordan's behaviour.

"Jordan's behaviour is a concern and we ask any member of the public who sees Jordan misbehaving or breaching any of his Asbo conditions to report it immediately."

A previous Asbo, now expired, curtailed Withey's crime spree.

Police hope the new one will do the same, as well as stop him offending elsewhere in the force area if his family move.

PC Scotter said: "He's been locked up several times for multiple offences.

"But while he was on a previous Asbo he had a period where he stopped offending.

"In the past we've had an Asbo on someone in Bridlington and then they have moved to Driffield or Hull.

"Jordan and his family live in a council property and there has been a chance of them being evicted because of his actions.

"They could move somewhere else."

Police had applied to magistrates for a five-year Asbo on the teenager. In the end, they were only awarded a two-year order.

Withey is specifically forbidden from causing harassment and being threatening or abusive. He is also banned from throwing any objects at people or property.

The Asbo takes immediate effect and runs until September 2014.

If Withey breaches it, he could face a £2,000 fine or imprisonment for up to two years.

East Riding Councillor Jackie Cracknell, portfolio holder for public protection, said: "We came into contact with him at the age of nine and he's been a prolific offender since then.

"That may be why the magistrates have banned him from causing problems anywhere in the force area.

"Offending like this has such a serious impact on people living in the communities or nearby.

"When someone is a victim of antisocial behaviour, it reduces how safe they feel, especially if it continues."

Applying for an Asbo is the final stage of a lengthy process during which police and the local authority try to change the offender's behaviour.

Ms Cracknell said: "That gives parents or guardians the opportunity to deal with it.

"Every council has antisocial behaviour teams. The Fairway letters that are sent out can mean problems are resolved in the home environment."

The councillor said the Asbo in relation to Jordan Withey is an example of why it is important the new Humberside police and crime commissioner, due to be elected in November, maintains funding for a service that includes home visits and administration by council officers.

She said: "When the PCC comes in, it will be down to them whether they pass that funding on. It's important that they do."

PC Scotter, who deals with Asbos on the streets of Bridlington, agrees the combined approach is vital.

Councils and the police work together on changing someone's behaviour. Only if that fails do they apply for an Asbo.

He said: "Working together in partnership is very important. They get information and so do we."

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