A man is starting a two-month prison sentence after admitting a series of incidents where he was drunk and abusive in the town centre.

Steven Kirkbright, 40, of Byron Lodge, New Town Road, Colchester, was also placed under an anti-social behaviour order for two years.

The terms of the order are that he must not threaten, act in an abusive way, or harass so as to cause alarm or distress to any person in the Colchester borough.

Kirkbright is also banned from entering any licensed premises in the town centre defined as High Street, Queen Street, St Boltoph's Street, Southway, Headgate and Head Street.

He appeared at Colchester Magistrates' Court yesterday and admitted disorderly behaviour in a public place on December 4, December 8, December 17 and being drunk and disorderly on January 7.

He also admitted threatening behaviour on January 15.

Christian Meikle, prosecuting, said: "It is quite clear from his behaviour that once drunk, he is trouble."

All the incidents involved the defendant swearing and being abusive to passers-by and police officers.

In view of the nature of the offences and that there were five within a four-week period, an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) was needed, Mr Meikle added.

James Baird-Murray, in mitigation, said Kirkbright had taken a turn for the worse in terms of his alcohol consumption.

He had suffered a stroke in the past and his right side was paralysed so he was on income support and disability allowance.

Mr Baird-Murray added: "If he is going to get over any incidious alcohol problem, he is going to have to get over it himself. No court order is going to help him with that."

District judge Kevin Gray sentenced him to two months in prison for the offence of threatening behaviour and a £100 fine for the disorderly behaviour

Published Friday, January 21, 2005

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