A BARROW man has been jailed after breaching an order banning him from part of the town centre for persistent anti-social behaviour.

Last week officers from Barrow Policing’s community team, in conjunction with Cumbria Police’s legal services team, obtained an interim civil injunction against Darren Richard Fawcett.

The 46-year-old, of no fixed abode, has a lengthy criminal record including a number of previous convictions for theft, drugs and public order offences.

He is also currently subject to a 90-day sentence suspended for 12 months.

One of the prohibitions of the interim injunction prevents Fawcett from entering a predefined area around Storey Square.

Breaching the injunction is contempt of court which is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to two years. The injunction was sought by Cumbria Constabulary as a means to protect vulnerable victims and the wider community from persistent anti-social behaviour.

At Barrow County Court on Tuesday Fawcett was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment after he admitted breaching the terms of the injunction twice in close succession last Friday and on Monday.

Sergeant David Proctor said: “We have utilised all the legal tools available to Cumbria Constabulary to protect communities from persistent anti-social behaviour.

“Fawcett’s imprisonment is a success to be proud of .

“I hope this sends out a message to other prolific offenders that that we will take action to bring people to justice.”