ASBO for Aberaman couple

An Aberaman couple whose disgusting drunken behaviour was harming the community have been served with strict ASBOS.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Community Safety Partnership felt it had no alternative but to secure the court orders against Melvin Lewis and Jean Clements in a bid to curb their behaviour, protect residents and try and force the pair to change the way they live their lives.

Specialist officers from the Community Safety Partnership attended Aberdare Magistrates’ Court on Monday, February 28th to secure three-year ASBOs against the pair, banning both from:

• Drinking, being under the influence of or in possession of opened units of alcohol in a public place
• Using verbally abusive or threatening language or behaviour towards any other person
• Attend any hospital other than in the case of a personal medical emergency or pre-arranged appointment. In any case, if asked to leave, they must do so immediately.
• Contact the Ambulance or Police Services for any other reasons than a genuine emergency

In addition, Melvin Lewis, 71, of Llandewi Street, Aberaman is, for the next six months, banned from entering Aberdare town centre at ANY time, except for between the hours of 12pm and 2pm on Mondays and Thursdays and banned from entering the Lewis Street area of Aberaman at any time.

Meanwhile Jean Clements, 65, of Rhos Dyfed, Aberaman, is, for the next six months, banned from entering Aberdare town centre at any time and banned from entering the Lewis Street area of Aberaman at any time, except for between 10am and 12pm on Monday and Wednesdays.

It is hoped that the strict conditions of the ASBOs, which carry the risk of immediate arrest and imprisonment if breached, will help to curb the behaviour of the pair and protect the public – including emergency service staff – from their vile, alcohol-related language and disorder.

Before issuing the ASBOs today, the court heard evidence from officers that described the unacceptable impact the behaviour of the pair have had on the surrounding community.

Offences considered against Melvin Lewis included how he was regularly found passed out in the street – including one time by school children – and would shout vile verbal abuse at staff, in front of other patients, when taken to hospital to be treated.

A total of 10 unacceptable incidents involving Lewis between August and October last year were considered by the court, as well as a further 21 past acts that also demonstrated alcohol-related crime and disorder.

The court considered 19 incidents involving Jean Clements, which occurred between July and November last year and, again, included being found passed out in public areas, shouting vile abuse at those who tried to help her, arguing with her partner, throwing a bowl of her vomit at nurses trying to help her in hospital.

A further 18, similar, past acts were also considered.

Phil Bevan, Chair of the Community Safety Partnership, said: “This is an example of two people whose alcohol-related crime and disorder was having a disproportionate impact on the community, especially frontline members of the emergency services who were trying to help them.

“Their levels of intoxication were so great that the couple would shout, swear and throw the most vile abuse around in front of the public domain.

“As such, the Community Safety Partnership had no choice but to secure sanctions on their behaviour and movements in a bid to stop this problem.

“It is pleasing that the court has supported our efforts by not only issuing these ASBOs, but warning Clements and Lewis about the seriousness of their offending and the consequences they face if they breach these orders.”