|
|
 |
| |
Addict caught preparing heroin in playground given Asbo
A HOMELESS drug-addict who was caught with friends preparing
heroin in a children’s playground, has been banned from
begging or sleeping rough anywhere in Camden.
An anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) placed on Eugene Mulligan,
41, at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court last week (Friday)
also means he is prohibited from entering most parts of the
borough.
Camden Council, along with Camden police, successfully convinced
the court an Asbo was the only fair and proportionate means
of dealing with Mulligan.
The court considered evidence from PC Simon Collins, based at
Kentish Town Police Station, that Mulligan was caught with friends
‘cooking-up’ heroin in an under-10s play area in broad
daylight on the Curnock Street Estate.
The court heard he slept in the street outside the World’s
End pub on Camden Road surrounded by uncapped hypodermic needles
and that he openly injected what is believed to be heroin in
Sainsbury’s Car Park on Camden Road. The court heard that
on numerous occasions Mulligan begged from people at cash points
outside Camden’s banks.
The court was told that he attempted to sell books in the street
outside the Underworld pub in Camden High Street, becoming verbally
abusive to officers who informed him he did not have a license
to trade. In a statement submitted to the court, PC Collins
said: “Mr Mulligan has refused all offers of help from
the Street Services Team, including the offer of housing and
drug treatments. This application is seen as a last resort due
to Mr Mulligan’s reluctance in ridding himself of his drug
habit.”
Although Ann Corlett, defending, said Mulligan was not contesting
the order, she requested conditions banning him from begging
and sleeping rough in Camden to be dropped from the order.
She said: “My concern is the issue of an existing criminal
offence being made the subject of an Asbo. The issue in this
case is begging.”
She also urged the court not to turn rough sleeping into a criminal
matter.
Granting the order in its entirety the judge told Mulligan:
“Begging is conduct associated with the issue of sleeping
on the streets and associated with drugs.”
He added: “I’m sure nobody sleeps rough out of choice
but people do find it antisocial, they don’t like seeing
it and it does cause distress.” |
| |
|
|
|
