Man, 65, breaches asbo for 11th time

A man who repeatedly breaches his anti-social behaviour order by getting drunk has been told to start behaving himself or he could spend the last years of his life in prison.

John Bernard Martindale, 65, has breached his asbo for an eleventh time by drinking in public places.

He breached the order on August 14 and October 6 by drinking in public places.

On August 14 he was seen laid on the pavement near a bus stop on Newland Avenue, west Hull, drinking a container of cider.

On his arrest he told the police officer who found him a bus stop was "not a public place".

He then breached his asbo again at 2pm on October 6 on Prospect Street, Hull city centre, when he was caught drinking a can of lager in a no drinking zone whilst waiting to see his probation officer.

He pleaded guilty at Hull Crown Court to the breaches, but Recorder Henry Prosser decided to defer his sentence until next year.

Recorder Prosser said: "He is a drinker who is a nuisance who does not comply with asbos.

"I'm reluctant to send him to prison.

"If I send you to prison Mr Martindale, you are going to lose the accommodation you have got. I'm prepared to give you a chance.

"I think at your age it is time you started to behave yourself.

"These offences are stacking up.

"I do not want you to spend the last years of your life in prison but it is up to you.

"I'm going to defer sentencing you until January, on condition there are no further breaches."

Martindale has 93 convictions for 127 offences.

Many of his asbo breaches have occurred when he has been drinking in Beverley town centre.

His asbo prohibits him from drinking alcohol and from having an open container of alcohol in any public place in East Yorkshire – except on licensed premises.

He had been given the order in 2004 and it is due to run until 2013.