A prolific beggar who has spurned chance after chance to stay out of trouble has been jailed.
Bradley Grimes was given a six month prison sentence at Teesside Crown Court on Thursday, after breaching a powerful court order designed to protect the public from his offending.
The 29-year-old was made subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order in June, after Middlesbrough Council supported an application from Cleveland Police.
The order set out strict boundaries for his behaviour and banned him from begging, sitting outside shops and licensed premises and being verbally abusive to the members of the public.
It also prohibited Grimes from entering Middlesbrough town centre at any time except to attend pre-arranged legal appointments.
But he was brought back before a judge this week after breaching his order on nine separate occasions.
Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Team PC Chris Swales, said: “Along with our partners, we will continue to pursue those who make it difficult for others to go about their daily business, and we won’t tolerate those who carry out aggressive or threatening behaviour.
“Bradley has been offered help but he chooses to continue breaching his CBO. This has now resulted in today’s sentence, which will hopefully prevent others from suffering as a result of his behaviour.”
Marion Walker, Head of Neighbourhoods at Middlesbrough Council, said: "Middlesbrough Council officers, our partners, charities and support services have offered Bradley a significant amount of help and support for a number of years.
"The Criminal Behaviour Order which Cleveland Police secured against him set out clear rules and boundaries about his expected behaviour, to protect members of the public from his offending.
"Unfortunately, that order has been ignored and the offending has continued, and the courts have been left with no option but to send him to prison.
"The Council is always open to working with Bradley in the future and will continue to offer support, but this case proves that we will always take tough action when it is appropriate."