NEWS STORY: APRIL 2009

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Four year ASBO for Derek Mwanza

Derek Mwanza

A man who subjected a wide area of Manchester to abuse and anti-social behaviour, has been made subject to a four-year Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO).

He also directed verbal abuse at a Northwards Housing neighbourhood services officer, making threats that he 'would be waiting' for her.

Under the ASBO, Derek Mwanza (29) has also been banned from a large section of Cheetham Hill Road in the north of the city as well as from approaching the Northwards Housing officer.

Mwanza, of Spencer Avenue, Whitefield, was well known to local businesses and residents in Cheetham Hill Road for his continual anti-social behaviour, which included stealing from tip boxes, swearing at staff as well as stealing food and alcohol.

On one occasion Mwanza made threats to kill shop staff and was found to be in possession of a Stanley knife. On another occasion, he entered a shop whilst drunk waving part of a pair of scissors at shop staff and shouting and swearing. He has been convicted of numerous offences including possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, criminal damage, common assault and public order offences.

The court heard how Mwanza approached the neighbourhood services officer as she was on a lunch break in Cheetham Hill Road in October 2008. He demanded that she give him her cigarette.

A few weeks later Mwanza approached her outside a local shop blocking her path. He had a can of beer in one hand and appeared to be drunk. He then started to swear at her and as she tried to walk around him into a shop, Mwanza said, 'I'll be waiting and you won't be smiling then.'

An interim ASBO was obtained against Mwanza in November last year when he was serving a 14-day jail sentence for theft.

On 28 November, the day he was released from prison, he was abusive to police in breach of the ASBO and on 6 December he breached the ASBO a second time when he entered a dental surgery shouting, swearing and screaming at staff.

On 28 January this year, Mwanza was jailed for eight weeks for the first breach and for 10 weeks for the second, the sentences to run concurrently. Having spent time in custody on remand, he was released on 6 February.

The magistrates granted an ASBO for four years. The terms of the final order also prohibit Mwanza from drinking in a public place, using abusive or insulting behaviour, and carrying a bladed article.

If he breaches the new conditions he again faces custody. Mwanza is banned from the area of Cheetham Hill Road from the crossroads at Middleton Road to the crossroads at Greenhill Road and Waterloo Road.

Councillor Paul Andrews, Executive Member for Housing for Manchester City Council, said: "This kind of behaviour that has become common practice for Mwanza will not be tolerated. Also, threatening and abusing an officer is totally unacceptable.

"This man has caused continual trouble on Cheetham Hill Road and this ASBO will bring this to a halt."

Mike Stevens, Director of Neighbourhood Services for Northwards Housing, said: "We will not tolerate our staff being abused in this manner. If this man breaches his ASBO then I am sure that the courts will deal with him severely."

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